During our morning prayer calls for my devotionals—Mornings With the Holy Spirit and now the brand-new Evenings With the Holy Spirit—the Lord often speaks prophetically to the hundreds of people on the call. The following prophetic word helped a lot of people, and I wanted to share it with you.

God has need of your voice, but you’re waiting in the wings, you’re standing in the shadows, you’re sleeping in the cave. And God would say to you, Come out of the cave, in Jesus’ name. Come out of that cave Obadiah put you in, surviving on bread and water and hiding from Jezebel. Come out of the cave (says the Lord) and be strong and courageous. Just as I told Joshua to be strong and courageous as he began to enter into a new season of his life, I would say to you today, be strong and courageous.

Don’t look upon their faces, but look to Me. Look upon My face because I will give you an anointing that breaks the yoke. I will give you the strength to battle through. I will give you the strategy to conquer every enemy that stands in your way. But you must emerge from the cave.

Praying for the Cave-Dwellers

Thank you, Lord, that the cave-dwellers will become presence-dwellers; that the cave-dwellers will become kingdom-seekers; that the cave-dwellers would shake off the dust and the mold from the past season of the cave and come out into the brightness of your glory, in the name of Jesus; come out with the confidence of Jesus Christ on the inside of them and speak forth what says the Spirit of God, what is the will of God, what is the mind of God with great conviction in the name of Jesus because they stood in the counsel of the Lord, and they’ve heard your voice.

I thank you, Lord, that You call Your prophetic voices out of the cave in this season to whatever measure and whatever metron and whatever realm of authority and influence you’ve given them. I’m asking you, Lord, to call those ones out who have stayed too long in the cave. It’s like a library book that’s past due. It’s time to turn in that book of hesitancy. It’s time to turn in that book of fear. It’s time to turn in that book of the enemy’s lies, and it’s time to embrace the book of life and truth and come forth with a new anointing and a new confidence, a new mission and a new assignment. It’s time, in Jesus’ name.

I thank You, Lord, that those who are pressing and pressing and pressing will break through in this season.

Click here to register to join these prayer calls Monday through Friday.

In case you missed it, the Lord is releasing the angels of abundant harvest. You can read the entire prophetic word at . {eoa}

In his classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities, British writer Charles Dickens opened his books with words I can relate to: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I don’t know about you, but that describes my 2016.

There were tremendous breakthroughs, but there was also tremendous warfare. There were many new kingdom relationships formed, but some were also lost to spiritual combat. There were many new doors of opportunity, but there was also tremendous pressure. I’ve learned we do more spiritual growing during the hard times than we do during the easy times—and God is faithful.

 Every year at this time I look back on the last 12 months. I take account of the good times and the bad times—and I thank God. And then I declare that the coming year is going to be my year. As part of this process, though, I am also careful to leave the past in the past. I know if I want to freely walk through the divine doors God is setting before me, I need to leave the pain of the past season behind. See, I take God at His Word:

“Do not remember the former things nor consider the things of old. See, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not be aware of it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Is. 43:18-19).

Is the Past Blocking Your Path?

God wants to do something new in your life this year, but there could be something that’s getting in your way—besides the flesh and the devil. It’s called the past. Hear me: You need to press past the pain of your past. If you aren’t willing to press past the pain of your past, you will never have total victory in your life. Consider Paul the apostle’s words in Philippians 3:13-14:

“Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

You have three choices: 1. Press past the pain now; 2. Press past the pain later, and be miserable until then or 3. Keep the pain forever. No one can do this for you. You have to do your own pressing.

So what does it mean to press? It means “to exert steady force or pressure against something.” We have to press against the pressure that’s coming against us. There’s pressure against our momentum. There’s pressure to go backwards. There’s pressure to give up altogether. The pull of the past is a demonic strategy that works like a magnet. It keeps trying to draw us back. We have to demagnetize our souls.

I’ll tell you right now, pressing past your pain will cause suffering. But you can either suffer the way you are, or you can suffer through the pain of change and into victory. When the pain of change comes, our flesh looks for an exit.

Our souls would rather stay in the familiar pain than press through the unfamiliar pain. We don’t want to suffer, but our suffering will only truly end when we get to the other side of the pain. Pressing is not fun—it’s hard work—but the reward is great.

Leaving the Past in the Dust

I heard the Lord say, “It’s time to leave your past in the dust, shake the dust off your feet and walk in the future and hope I have planned for you.” Leaving your past in the dust often means renewing your mind.

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective (Col. 3:1-2, MSG).

 What’s Christ’s perspective? His perspective is that we are overcomers. We are accepted in the beloved. We are not alone because He will never leave us or forsake us. We have the oil of joy, the garment of praise.

God is our vindicator (Psalm 4:2-4). He will repay those who hurt us. He will heal our grief. He will bring us new relationships. He will do it. Our job is to love Him with all of our hearts and minds and trust Him. I like to meditate on two key Scriptures: Romans 8:28 (“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”) and Genesis 50:20: (“But as for you, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many lives”).

Let this be your confession: “Jesus, I am willing to press past my pain and into victory. I am more than a conqueror in You. You understand me. You know my hurts and my wounds and my grief and my loneliness. But You are here to deliver me. I refuse to remain in the past any longer. I exchange mourning for joy, praise for heaviness. And I thank You, Lord, that I can press on toward the mark of the prize. Pain, you can’t stay. I command you to leave my soul in the name of Jesus. I am free from pain. I am renewed in the spirit if my mind. I am victorious!” {eoa}

Prophecy is a vital ministry in the body of Christ. Every believer can prophesy and some do, but many struggle to discern the voice of the Lord. Many others do not understand simple protocols for prophetic ministry because they have not been rightly trained, despite the Ephesians 4:11 mandate for five-fold prophets to equip the saints for the work of the ministry.

In my Issachar Institute’s School of the Prophets earlier this month, we discussed prophetic protocols and guidelines. I shared with you in the past 10 important prophetic ministry protocols, and many rogue prophets went into attack mode, suggesting protocols are not in the Bible. I would urge any of those who take that stance to read 1 Corinthians 14, where you’ll discover Paul setting order in a church where the gifts were flowing freely, but maturity was sometimes lacking.

God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Cor. 14:33). Prophetic operations without protocol can often generate confusion, chaos and even damage people’s faith. Prophets are oracles and mouthpieces for God, yet some of what comes out of people’s mouths in His name can be self-willed, self-promotional witchcraft. We must be willing to submit our prophetic ministry to elders for accountability, especially when the word may cause shock or stir people in the body.

 Here are five more prophetic protocols to consider:

1. In personal prophecy situations, abide by the 1 Corinthians 4:3 mandate to edify, comfort and exhort, especially in itinerant ministry. Although there are times when the Lord will have a prophet speak forth a word of warning or even correction publicly, this is not the norm—especially without relationship. The Lord is not trying to embarrass anyone publicly, and they are not likely to receive the word if they are embarrassed, even if it is valid. Discretion is key when offering correction in the name of prophecy. Exhortation is different than correction but can feel like correction to someone who is insecure.

2. Use wisdom in releasing prophetic words. Just because the Lord shows you something does not mean you are supposed to release it. The Holy Spirit who spoke to you is the same Holy Spirit who will give you an unction to release the prophecy. Hearing does not equal unction. An unction is a bubbling-up in your spirit—not a bubbling-up in your soul. Maturing in the prophetic means differentiating where the bubbling-up is coming from.

3. Deliver prophetic words with diplomacy. How you deliver a word can make a difference in whether or not someone receives it. If you have to deliver a corrective word, for example, it should be after much prayer and even grieving or weeping. Your tone should reflect the heart of God, which is love. Delivering words of warning must also be done with diplomacy to avoid perceptions of judgment on a person as if, for example, they are in some way to blame.

4. Don’t feel pressure to prophesy. Taking on pressure to prophesy because people expect you to have a word can lead you into compromise or error. If the Lord is not speaking, you don’t have anything to say. If you strain and stress, you could tap into a familiar spirit or divination.

5. Don’t try to force someone to agree with your prophetic word. If they don’t bear witness to it, don’t insist that God said it. Just ask them to pray about it. Do not argue (2 Tim. 2:4). They could reject a perfectly good word if you argue, whereas if you stay humble, they may remain open to the Holy Spirit confirming it to them at a later time. Your job is done when you deliver the word, other than praying as the Holy Spirit leads. You are not charged with convincing them.

There’s much more. I shared 34 guidelines with my students. I’ll stop here for now and let you absorb these. I pray you will commit yourself to prophetic accuracy and accountability. The Lord is igniting the prophets, prophetic voices and intercessors in this season. {eoa}

Charisma House has raced to publish a teaching book based on this prophetic word so you can apply biblical principles in cooperation with the angels of abundant harvest. Visit  to learn more and read what James Goll and others have to say about this teaching.

This is one of the most profound prophetic words I have ever received, second only to what the Lord told me in 2007 about a Great Awakening coming to this nation. In September, the Lord spoke these words to me:

An abundant harvest is at hand. I am releasing angels of abundant harvest into the nation. You will reap what you have sown. This is a double-edged sword. 

Where the enemy has resisted your harvest in years past, you will see a multiplication effect of blessing in your life. Doors will open unto you that no man can open. Opportunities will come your way that you never dreamed, imagined or even thought to ask for. Provision will enter your life from unexpected places. 

If you have sown to the Spirit, you will reap from the Spirit. If you have sown into My kingdom business, you will see a return on the investment of your time, your finances and your relationships. Reinforcement will come to support the work of your hand. You will find that lack is no longer in your language. You will see blessings chase you down and overtake you. You will find that I am leading you and guiding you with greater precision. You will hear My voice and dream My dreams and see My visions. You will rest in Me and have confidence and faith in me that defies the enemy’s plans for your life. This is a year of abundant harvest.

Be warned, though and be ready because the other side of this double-edged sword is a harvest of the enemy’s agenda for those who have refused My mercy and have not heeded My voice. I am calling you to repent now before that day of reckoning comes. I will not be mocked. Whatever a man sows he will reap. There are laws of the harvest and they are in effect. 

If you have been holding back what belongs to Me, release it. If you have been muzzling the ox, loose him. If you have been sowing seeds of discord among My children, go to them in humility and make it right. If you have been defying My will, get in alignment with me now. Right now. 

If you have been sowing to the flesh, you will reap from the flesh if you do not repent quickly. You will begin to see a trickle of the rotten harvest spring forth in your life if you do not choose My ways. My ways are higher than your ways. But there is still time to repent. There is still time to choose mercy over judgment. There is still time to push back the enemy’s work. Yes, there are consequences for your choices, but you can start planting new seeds now to reverse the curse of sin.

I am releasing the angels of abundant harvest. They will minister blessings to the heirs of salvation. They will bring provision and protection from the enemy’s sword. I am releasing the angels of abundant harvest. Make your choice. Choose this day whom you will serve with your whole heart. I am a God of justice. I am also a God of mercy.

You have put Me to the test in the last season, and a season of abundant harvest is coming into your life. Prepare your hearts now to receive what is in store for you and repent for the poisonous seeds you’ve sown so you can escape the snare of the fowler. I am Your God, and I love you with an everlasting love. I am releasing angels of abundant harvest. {eoa}

Charisma House has raced to publish a teaching book based on this prophetic word so that you can apply biblical principles in cooperation with the angels of abundant harvest. Visit  to learn more and read what James Goll and others have to say about this teaching.

I still remember the fear striking my heart every Friday night. Corporate intercession before service was mandatory for leaders in the church, and I dreaded every minute of it.

 The woman of God who headed prayer was a powerhouse in the Spirit. Anointed, God-glorifying, devil-busting prayers emanated from this woman like glory emanates from Jesus. She had a certain cadence, a rhythm. It was almost as if she were singing her prayers—only she wasn’t. In any case, I know it was music to our heavenly Father’s ears.

 One by one, she would hand the mic off to other prophetic intercessors who would pave the way for the Holy Spirit’s wonder-working power in the service and bind the hand of the thief who comes in to steal, kill and destroy. The authority in that room was off the charts! Heaven was coming down and devils were fleeing, all in the name of Jesus.

I always knew when it was nearly my turn because there was a certain order to the intercession. You grow accustomed to people’s prayer habits when you gather corporately. Some wind down by repeating certain phrases, like “glory to God.” Others do a little hop, skip and jump. Still others start off with rapid-fire petitions and end with thanksgiving. 

I knew when they were about to call upon me for prayer. So I did what any fearful intercessor would do: I slipped out of the sanctuary and hid in the bathroom until service started. Yes, really. I was too scared to pray—much less prophesy. I struggled to pray in public. There was a roadblock. Actually, it was a soul block. 

Eventually, I got over it. Today, prayer flows from my spirit like a Holy Ghost river. (You can join my Mornings With the Holy Spirit prayer calls here). I might not be as eloquent as others, but the heartfelt supplications and warfare declarations carry power in His name. In 2012, the Lord told me to make prayer my life’s work, which led me to start a house of prayer, which ultimately birthed a revival hub in South Florida that includes healing rooms, a training center and a church. Is it any wonder the devil flights prayer so hard?

So what do you do if you have a prayer block? You may pray the house down in your closet at home, but when called upon to pray with two or three—or more—you hesitate. Something in you pauses. You freeze up on the inside. And then you get mad at yourself later because you know the Lord wanted you to make intercession. What do you do? 

1. Root fear of man out of your life. Ultimately, this is a fear issue. There are many types of fears and phobias. If you’re typically not fearful in most situations, the fear of man is likely at the root of your public prayerlessness. You may be comparing yourself to others and decide inwardly that you are not as equipped or as powerful. You may be concerned about people judging you as inadequate in intercession. I assure you, most believers are not critiquing your public prayer. Ask the Lord to deliver you from the fear of man, which brings a snare (Prov. 29:25). 

2. Pray in the Spirit. I know this might sound like my answer for everything, but bear with me. This is a three-fold strategy. Praying in the Spirit deals with issues in our souls that we don’t even know exist or that we don’t know how to deal with (Rom. 8:26). Praying in the Spirit builds you up in your “most holy faith” (Jude 20). Praying in the Spirit publicly can also give you the courage to pray boldly in your native tongue.

3. Get a prayer partner. Find someone you can trust—someone you feel comfortable with—with whom you can pray one-on-one. This is not quite the same as a corporate prayer gathering, but it’s a start—and you have to start somewhere. Praying on phone calls is also less unnerving than praying in a live prayer meeting. All of this preps you to eventually step out on a platform and pray with little awareness that anyone is listening to you but God. And that’s our goal.

4. Write out prayer points. Being prepared can help alleviate fear. If you write out a few prayer points and Scriptures to go along with them, you have a road map for public praying. No one will fault you for having these points listed out. It’s a sure way to guarantee all the bases are covered. In many ways, it’s wisdom. You will eventually find that this starting point will launch you into Spirit-led prayer.

5. Do it afraid. Ultimately, there’s nothing more powerful in your life than your own will. Even God won’t usurp the human will. The devil can’t stop you from praying. You can consciously choose to “do it afraid.” You can make a determined decision to take the advice in this column and implement it. You can break through this blockage, this hindrance, this frustration by the power of your will. 

Let me pray for you right now. Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank you for the ones reading this article. I thank you for their heart to pray. I ask you, even now, to help them overcome every fear, anxiety and insecurity associated with public prayer. Father, help them to stop comparing themselves to other intercessors. Help them to see themselves in You. Give them boldness and courage to release powerful prayers in your name and for your glory. Give them a steadfast, determined heart to pray without ceasing, in Jesus’ name. 

The Lord told me the angels of abundant harvest have been released into the nation. Read more at . {eoa}

It’s still the year of shifting seasons and suddenlies. When I prophesied those words earlier this year, I had no idea just how many shifts and suddenlies I’d see!

My entire ministry shifted in a dramatic way. My personal relationships saw mega-shifts. I experienced more suddenlies than I can count on both hands. Truly, it was another year of transition for me and many others.

Maybe you’re still in transition. If so, remember what I said earlier this year: We can’t do God’s part, but God won’t do our part. Our part is to position ourselves for the shift—and that means creating a climate that sets the stage for God to move in our lives. We can’t shift our seasons—God does that. But we can create a climate that invites Him to do the work in our hearts that prepares us for the next season.

8 Keys to Competing Your Strategic Shift

With that, keep in mind that how well—and sometimes how quickly—you transition depends at least six things. I’ve discovered these principles to be true in the last three years of my new beginnings, birthings, shifting seasons and suddenlies.

1. How much do you trust God? You won’t follow a God you don’t trust. Many shifts—even shifts that bring increase and blessing into our life—can stretch us beyond our natural limits. They can take us far beyond our comfort zone. Trusting God means walking by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). We can’t see God with our natural eyes, but we can discern Holy Spirit’s leading and follow Him in childlike faith, knowing even if we misread Him, He’s got our backs.

2. Do you know the Word? “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). If you want to build your faith for the shift, you need to meditate on the Word day and night (Joshua 1:8). And if you want to find good success in your transition, be careful to do what the Word says. Knowing and acting on the Word will help you through times of transition.

3. Are you yielded to the Spirit? James 4:7 (AMPC) tells us, “So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.” Yielding to the Spirit of God won’t eliminate all warfare in your shift, but it will produce peace in the storms that often come in times of transition. 

4. How’s your prayer and fasting life? Prayer is our lifeline to God. Fasting crucifies our flesh. Together, these are a one-two punch against the carnal nature and the enemy’s spiritual weapons to steal our harvest. In times of transition, especially, we don’t always know how to pray as we ought. Praying in the spirit will build you up in your most holy faith (Jude 20) and speak mysteries (1 Cor. 14:2). 

5. Are you on fire for God? Pursuing intimacy with God should be a lifestyle, not something we do when we’re desperate or in transition. When we live by Psalm 27—choosing to be a person of one thing—”we live, move and have our being” in Him (Acts 17:28a). We are more sensitive to His efforts to show us things to come (John 16:13).

6. Have you determined not to quit? Transitioning isn’t easy ,and there will be the temptation to quit and give up. You have to determine in your heart ahead of time that nothing will stop you from walking in God’s will. Remember Galatians 6:9 (AMPC), “And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”

7. Whom are you aligned with? Your connections matter. A threefold cord is not easily broken (Eccl. 4:12). But if you are tied to the wrong people, you can unleash a bad flow in your life. If you are taking in ungodly counsel (Ps. 1:1) or walking with people with corrupt morals, it will affect your spiritual life (1 Cor. 15:33).

8. Look for the angels of transition. The Holy Spirit said this to me earlier this year: “Many neglect the angels of transition, and they bypass the help I have sent to transition them into the next stage of their journey. Many ignore the angels of transition and therefore fail to enter into the new place I have set aside for them at the appointed time. Many are working in their own strength, struggling in the flesh and failing to embrace the work of My angels on assignment to help them transition into the new thing. Look for the angels in times of transition.” 

God is releasing the angels of abundant harvest. Get ready. Check out my new Charisma House book for 2017 at . {eoa}

Early in the morning on Election Day, I released a prophetic word titled: “On Election Day, a Kingdom Will Be Toppled.” The next morning, the Holy Spirit told me the Jezebel curse had been broken off America.

With that, Brandon Showalter, a Bethel graduate and a new reporter over at the Christian Post, called to talk to me about the prophetic ministry in light of the presidential election. Below is part of that discussion from his article: “What Was the Role of Prophecy in the 2016 Election?”

“I think one of the reasons why people have disregarded many modern prophetic voices is because of the clamor and the renegade people who call themselves prophets who aren’t really prophets; or those who are really immature prophets who aren’t letting their words be judged before releasing them and therefore missing it badly,” I told Brandon.

Brandon wrote: “Many non-Pentecostal Christian denominations do not have a theological grid for the prophetic because they hold to cessationism, the doctrine (that) states that the supernatural gifts of the spirit, like prophecy, ceased with the death of the last apostle or when the Canon of Scripture closed. Even those who do believe that the gifts continue today are commonly functionally cessationist because often little equipping is done and even less space given in public services for this to be practiced. These views are reinforced when the abuse of such supernatural gifts appear, of which there is no shortage via televangelists.”

I shared with Brandon how several Christians staunchly asserted God told them Hillary Clinton was going be the next president, while others were equally insistent that the Lord said that Trump would emerge the winner. 

What did I make of this, he asked?

“Clearly, now we see someone wasn’t hearing correctly,” I told him. “Now, I wonder, will those people come out and repent and say, ‘You know what? I missed it.'”

But I also told him I think the fact that Trump did win, “should open the eyes of those who were on the fence about modern-day prophetic unctions. It should confirm to those who have long believed in the prophetic and that we can have accuracy.” 

“From here we have a real opportunity to say, ‘You know what, the prophetic is real; prophets really are for today. Let’s take another look and do some equipping,” I told him. “Let’s teach believers how to hear the voice of God, how to discern, how to judge a prophetic word. We have an opportunity in this moment to do Ephesians 4:11-12.”

In conclusion, I told Brandon: “I think we have to handle the prophetic realm with integrity, we have to let our peers, our contemporaries judge the word if it is going to be impactful and speak to something of this nature, we have to have accountability. And if we would all do that you would see a lot of this flaky stuff being rooted out of the prophetic and people would take it more seriously.”

Ahab is passive. Jezebel is aggressive. Together, they create a deadly, codependent power couple who wants to steal, kill and destroy anyone who stands in their way.

Although Jezebel is the aggressor of this corrupt codependent couple, Ahab is aggressive in his own right—just not outwardly so. Understanding the concept of codependency is vital to recognizing the Jezebel-Ahab dynamic. 

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines codependency as a “psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition”; or, more broadly, “dependence on the needs of or control by another.”

Ahab was dependent on Jezebel’s control, and Jezebel was dependent on Ahab’s needs. Together they ebbed and flowed to get what they wanted from each other—and to get each other to do what they wanted. 

Of course, codependency isn’t reserved for Jezebel-Ahab type relationships. You can be codependent without coming under the influence of a Jezebel or an Ahab spirit. But where you find Jezebel, you often find a codependent Ahab and vice versa. 

Passive-Aggressive Codependents in Action

In the 1 Kings 21 account, we witnessed passive-aggressive codependents in action. Jezebel executed her aggressive plan perfectly, using passive Ahab, fearful eunuchs and others to do away with her opposition. Although these individuals were clearly influenced by spirits, modern psychology attempts to explain these behaviors, and we can learn plenty about the workings of Jezebel and Ahab from a quick study. 

According to the New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center, a person with a passive-aggressive behavior pattern “may appear to comply or act appropriately, but actually behaves negatively and passively resists.” This is what Ahab did when Naboth told him no. On the surface, he seemed to comply with Naboth’s wishes and went away peacefully. But he behaved negatively—climbing into bed and refusing to eat—in passive resistance. 

NYU also lists symptoms of passive-aggressive personality disorder. These include a contradictory and inconstant behavior: “A person with this behavior pattern may appear enthusiastic to carry out others’ requests, but purposely performs in a manner that is not useful and sometimes even damaging.” This characterizes Ahab’s entire reign. He accepted the crown and committed to keeping a covenant with the Lord, only to marry a foreign woman who brought foreign gods into the land. He then went on to give her authority that didn’t belong to her, and she used it to kill the prophets of Jehovah and innocent Naboth. 

Master Blame-Shifters

Passive-aggressive personality disorder is also characterized by intentional avoidance of responsibility, NYU reports: “Some behaviors that may be used to avoid responsibility include: procrastination—to delay or postpone needlessly and intentionally; deliberate inefficiency—purposefully performing in an incompetent manner; forgetfulness.” Finally, NYU lists several other traits, many of which we can apply directly to Ahab from the Naboth incident alone.

For example, NYU points to “feelings of resentment toward others.” Ahab resented Naboth for not handing over his vineyard. Stubbornness is another passive-aggressive trait. Ahab was stubborn against God’s will. Passive-aggressive people also tend to be argumentative. Ahab argued with Elijah, calling him his “enemy” (1 Kin. 21:20) and one who “troubles Israel” (1 Kin. 18:17). 

Jezebel’s Unexpressed Anger

Both Jezebel and Ahab have unexpressed anger or hostility. Ahab never expressed his anger or hostility toward Naboth—he let Jezebel handle it. NYU’s list of characteristics of passive-aggressives include being easily offended, being resentful of useful suggestions from others, blaming others, being sulky and being chronically impatient.

Again, keep in mind, please, that not everyone you meet who manifests passive-aggressive traits has an Ahab or Jezebel spirit. You may just be dealing with an immature person who saw that type of behavior modeled on the home front or in the workplace and unconsciously adopted the pattern. But where you find Jezebel and Ahab, you will find these characteristics. 

Passive-aggressive traits—arguing, resenting, blaming, sulking and impatience—are essentially works of the flesh but can be fortified by demon spirits if we do not work with the Holy Spirit to grow in the grace of Christ. When we embrace rather than reject the flaws in our souls, the Holy Spirit shows us we are walking on dangerous ground. {eoa}

Like this article? Check out Jennifer’s book Jezebel’s Puppets.

When I got the news that our worship leader’s son was diagnosed with cancer, it knocked the wind out of me. I was already fighting four or five other spiritual battles and this was a major blindside. I grieved in my spirit for this family. And then I got up and fought for them.

See, I’ve learned over the years that sudden storms will come. I liken it to someone sneaking up behind you with a baseball bat and slamming you in the back of the head. You will probably fall down. There’s no shame in falling down. The question is will you stay down and lick your wounds or will you get up and fight? 

What you do in that moment defines the next season of your life.

Proverbs 24:16, “The righteous man falls down seven times and will rise again.” The devil has knocked me down many times but I always get back up again. It used to take me months or weeks. Now, by the grace of God, I can rise up before the sun goes down. 

Just as Paul admonishes us not to let the sun go down on our anger (Eph. 4:26), the Lord has taught me not to let the sun go down on any toxic emotion. We don’t have to wallow in self-pity, discouragement, heartache and the like for days or weeks on end. We can run to Jesus hurts, wounds fear, guilt or any other feelings rising up in our soul and find fast deliverance. We can choose to submit ourselves to God, resist the devil and he will eventually flee (James 4:7). We’re called to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12).

Always Choose Life

This is our reality: “The thief does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). In times of trial, we have to remember to choose abundant life. We have to remember the power of death and life are in the tongue (Prov. 18:21). We have to choose whether we will believe the destroyer’s lies or believe our Savior’s truth.

That means knowing the Word of God. Paul admonished Timothy to, “Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). And Revelation 12:11 tells us how to overcome: By the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony and selflessness.

In the sudden storms of life, we need to know the Word of God—and choose the right weapon for the right battle. Think about it for a minute: Surgeons use different blades for different procedures. Mechanics use different tools to accomplish to fix different parts of the car. Golfers use different clubs at different areas of the greens. Likewise, we need to use the right Scripture—the right sword—for the battle. 

Wage prophetic warfare with healing Scriptures if you are sick. Wield financial Scriptures if you are facing lack. Swing reconciliation Scriptures if you have a prodigal child. Get a concordance or a prayer book if you have to. But let your testimony in the midst of your trial agree with the High Priest of your confession, Jesus (Heb. 3:1).

Satan trembles at the blood of Jesus because that blood—the life in that blood—defeated Him and the power of death. The shed blood of Jesus Christ washes away our sin, slamming the door on the devil’s face. Salvation came to you by way of the blood. Sozo, the Greek word for salvation, implies salvation, healing, deliverance, rescue and safety.

Enter the Battle Field

Enter the battle field with your whole armor on (Eph. 6) but always remember to seek God in the midst of the battle. Often, we’re on a devil-hunting mission in the warfare but if we seek Him in the spiritual skirmishes and sudden storms, we’ll hear His strategy, receive His power, and find a faster path to victory. 

This is not just a spiritual mandate, it’s practical wisdom. During spiritual attacks and storms, our minds and bodies get worn down. Proverbs 24:10 warns us, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” We must build ourselves up by spending more time with God when sudden storms try to overwhelm us. We need enduring spirits—strength in our inner man. Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”

You have to determine in your heart ahead of time that you will not quit during the sudden storms because everything in you will drive you toward throwing in the towel. The truth is no weapon formed against you can prosper (Is. 54:7). The weapons will form and may appear to be prospering, but the enemy only has the authority in your life that you give him through fear, doubt, unbelief and surrender. 

We need to surrender to the will of God and not the will of the enemy. Pick up your weapons and fight—and surround yourself with people who will fight with you. We’re not called to fight alone. 

An Encouraging Prophecy for the Weary

Winston Churchill, the prime minister of Britain during World War II when it looked like the Nazis were going to take over the world, put it this way: “If you are going through hell, keep going. Never, never, never give up.”

The Holy Spirit spoke these words to my heart. I hope they help you also:

“Don’t give up now. You’ve waited too long and persevered through too many trials, tribulations and battles to lay down your weapons in this season. Keep pressing and know that I am God. Keep moving forward and know that I am with you. Keep advancing in what I’ve told you to do even if it doesn’t look like you are making progress and even when those who should be standing with you appear to be opposing you. Don’t give up now.” {eoa}

My air conditioning service man informed me two months ago that the Lord showed him with great clarity that Obama is the Antichrist. My taxi cab driver is absolutely convinced God is telling him to leave Florida because the Zika virus will propagate and the Sunshine State will be quarantined. He may have already left. I haven’t seen him in a month.

And have you heard the prophetic predictions about a major disaster striking two U.S. cities before the election that will usher in martial law? Yes, word on the streets suggests Obama will be the last legally elected president. He will reportedly remain in the White House well after Election Day, take over as head of the United Nations, and usher the globe into a New World Order that will crush Christianity.

Should we believe all this? Should we be stocking up food? Heading for Canada? Taking all our money out of the bank? Hiding in underground bunkers with big guns and plenty of ammunition? How should we respond to the many conspiracy theories and prophetic predictions of doom, gloom, destruction and disaster? What does a blood-bought, Bible-believing, Holy Spirit-filled, tongue-talking saint do at such a time as this?

Isaiah’s Prophetic Utterance

I found the answer in Isaiah 8 some months ago. These were difficult times for Israel. The stage was set for an Assyrian invasion. It’s a fearful thing to have an army set to invade your borders, and Isaiah’s prophetic word was especially disturbing: The enemy would come upon them with great speed and collect significant spoils. The unfortunate bottom line was that judgment was coming upon the Israelites—and coming soon.

Nevertheless, the Lord had some very clear words for Isaiah that apply to the many believers and unbelievers alike who are scared in the midst of one of the most intense conspiracy swirls we’ve ever seen in America. It’s found in Isaiah 8:12-13:

“You should not say, ‘It is a conspiracy,’ concerning all that this people calls a conspiracy, neither fear their threats nor be afraid of them. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts Himself, and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”

The Hebrew word for “conspiracy” in that verse is qesher, which means a conspiracy, treason or unlawful alliance. I have no doubt there are conspiracies in our government. I am quite sure treason is a reality in our military. Unlawful alliances certainly abound among the nations. But I refuse to tap into the spirit of fear.

Responding to the Scary Conspiracy Drama

Conspiracy theories are nothing new. Some believe Elvis faked his own death and is really alive. Others are convinced a flying saucer crashed at Roswell in 1947 and aliens will soon come and take over the earth. Still others believe NASA faked the moon landings. The list of conspiracy theories goes on and on.

More recently, the prophetic predictions suggested extreme economic trouble in September 2015. The markets were supposed to crash. It was supposed to be mass chaos. It didn’t happen. Could it happen? Absolutely. We’ve seen Great Depressions before and it’s true that our economy is inflated. But it doesn’t take a prophet to see that.

Whatever happens, we must not fear. Fear is not from the Lord, no matter what the facts say. We are overcomers. We are children of the King. There are massive numbers of people praying for the mercy of God in our nation. He’s not going to turn His back on His people. Now is the time to seek the Lord for His wisdom, not to seek a timeline on our destruction from the conspiracy prophets. {eoa}