In a powerful teaching video, Apostle John Eckhardt revisits one of the most foundational aspects of Jesus’ ministry—casting out demons—and urges the modern church not to neglect this vital spiritual practice.

“Jesus preached in their synagogues and cast out devils,” Eckhardt said, quoting Mark 1:39. “So it’s not enough just to preach… If you’re going to be a preacher, cast out demons.”

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Deliverance isn’t just for the early church, it’s for today. And it’s needed now more than ever.

How Do Demons Enter?

Eckhardt laid out several open doors that give demons access to people’s lives:

1. Personal Sin
2. Generational Curses
3. Trauma or Abuse
4. Occult Involvement
5. Unforgiveness and Bitterness
6. Addictions and Anger

Signs You May Need Deliverance

Deliverance isn’t always obvious. Eckhardt explained that certain patterns or struggles may point to demonic oppression:

1. Uncontrollable Thoughts or Compulsions
2. Emotional Torment
3. Repeating Cycles of Failure or Destruction
4. Addictions and Bondage
5. Chronic Sickness

Seven Steps to Receiving and Ministering Deliverance

Eckhardt emphasized a step-by-step biblical method for deliverance:

1. Honesty
2. Humility
3. Repentance
4. Renunciation
5. Forgiveness
6. Prayer for Deliverance
7. Expulsion

Seven Steps to Maintaining Deliverance

After deliverance, Eckhardt warns, it’s essential to remain vigilant:

1. Put on the Full Armor of God
2. Disciplined Thought Life
3. Daily Scripture and Prayer
4. Fellowship and Covering
5. Avoid Sin and Temptation
6. Avoid Occult Influences
7. Worship and Praise

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Deliverance is not just a ministry, it’s a necessity. “The deliverance ministry of Jesus continues today,” Eckhardt said. “Every believer has authority in Christ.

“Don’t be ignorant of Satan and demons. Don’t be afraid to study this subject… God has not given us the spirit of fear but power, love and a sound mind.”

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And to every believer and church leader, Eckhardt’s leave a message of encouragement and power: “Churches must make space for the full ministry of Jesus, including casting out devils.”

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In a recent emotional episode of Hey It’s the Luskos, music legend TobyMac sat down with Levi and Jennie Lusko to talk not about charts or accolades, but about something far more personal: grief.

The interview took listeners through the painful journey of losing his 21-year-old son Truett in 2019, followed more recently by the death of his longtime friend and bandmate, Gabe Patillo. Through the loss, TobyMac’s testimony emerged not just as a story of survival, but as one of faith refined by fire.

“I just remember lying there and just zipping that bag to the top and my heart was just pounding,” Toby said, describing the night he gave his life to Christ at age 13. Decades later, that same faith would be tested in unimaginable ways.

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Grief, for TobyMac, has not been a past-tense struggle. It’s a daily walk. “I saw a parent with a little boy that looked like Truett in his arms yesterday… and it just messed me up, man,” he admitted. “It just messed me up because it was right down there where we used to live.”

He described the moment of losing his son as a fork in the road — a place where he had to choose whether to run from God or run toward Him. “It’s a faith-defining thing like nothing I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “You decide then, do I believe this or not? I’m either going to walk away or I’m going all the way in. Full trust.”

Toby didn’t sugarcoat the sorrow. “It’s like it’s right there always,” he said of the pain. “The only way I make it is to believe that God loves me and he loves Truett. And I know Truett had an intimate relationship with God.”

He shared a deeply personal detail — one of the last messages his son ever sent. “Truett’s last text to Amanda… he said, ‘Mom, is God tickling me?’” Toby said, overcome by the intimacy of the phrase. “You don’t think about someone tickling you unless you’re tight. That’s intimacy.”

When asked how he continues on after suffering multiple devastating losses, he gave a picture few could forget: “I feel like I’ve been a little compressed… I don’t know if I’ll ever go as low as I was when I lost Truett. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be as high as I’ve been in my past.” He paused. “That doesn’t mean my faith is lacking. It just means I don’t know if I’ll ever be as happy as I once was.”

Yet out of that compression — that pressing of the soul — came oil. “Joy is a serious thing. It’s our strength,” Toby said, referencing Nehemiah. “I’ve learned how important it is to read the Bible. That is how God talks to us… and the way we talk to Him is prayer.”

TobyMac also revealed that grief reshaped how he approached everything — from songwriting to backstage culture. Two of the songs on his newest album Heaven on My Mind are tributes to Gabe, the friend who stood beside him for decades and was with him the night Truett died. “Losing him… I feel like I’m missing a limb.”

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Still, hope rings out. “I’m counting on what He promised,” he said, voice steady with conviction. “I’m going to go down believing. For Truett and for me.”

One of his most powerful statements came toward the end: “You go from lying there to crawling to somehow walking to standing up to throwing your fist in the air and saying, ‘I absolutely believe.’ Because I can’t not believe. I have to believe.”

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We often look for quick answers or easy comforts in the face of sorrow, but TobyMac offered something much more real — the steadying truth of God’s Word, and a Savior who walks with us even through the shadow of death.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

When most people hear the phrase “You have a call on your life,” their minds often leap to ministry. But John Bevere, in a recent podcast episode alongside his son Arden, is challenging that narrow definition. “If you hear somebody say, ‘I’ve got a call on my life,’ where do our minds go? Ministry. It’s positions of ministry, pastors, worship leaders,” Bevere said. “That is the most untrue statement.”

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According to Bevere, everyone has a specific calling—not just those in church leadership. He points to Ephesians 2:10 and Psalm 139 as the foundation: “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus… every day of my life was recorded in Your book.”

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But walking in that calling, he says, requires something more than ambition. “It is impossible to fulfill what we have been created to do in our own ability,” he said. “Why did God make it like that? So we’d rely on Him.”

Three Barriers That Keep People from Their Calling

Bevere unpacks Luke 9 and 10 to explain three key obstacles:

1. Comfort and Security
   “Foxes have holes. Birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man doesn’t have anywhere to lay his head.”
   According to Bevere, this man “put a high premium on security and comfort.”
2. Money
   “Let me first go bury my father,” one man told Jesus. Bevere explains that in Jewish tradition, burying the father secures the double inheritance. “So he starts backing up—and so do a lot of other people.”
3. Relationships
   “Let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
   Jesus replied, “No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom.” Bevere said, “How many times have I seen wrong relationships cost people the call of God on their life?”

Three Steps to Discovering Your Calling

Bevere and Arden also laid out a roadmap to purpose:

1. Diligently Seek God in Faith
   “The Bible says without faith it’s impossible to please God… He rewards those who seek Him diligently.”
2. Get Planted in a Local Church or Ministry
   “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish,” Bevere quoted from Psalm 92:13. “If I plant a seed in the soil, it’s going to grow.”
3. Avoid Distractions and Cultural Drift
   “This life has a current,” Bevere warned. “If we don’t have direction, we’re going to be pulled by the currents—whatever’s happening on social media… we become somebody we weren’t intended to be.”

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And perhaps the most freeing truth? Your calling might not look like anyone else’s. “There never has been another you. There never will be another you,” Arden said. “If you just copy your life based off of everyone else around you, then you are robbing the world of the unique expression of who God created you to be.”

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Is the war in Israel simply political—or is it something far more ancient? Author and researcher Derek Gilbert says the modern conflict is tied to a battle that began in the days of Joshua and the Nephilim.

Speaking with Alan DiDio on Encounter Today, Gilbert explained, “It is our contention—this was the belief by the way of the Jews of Jesus’ day and the early church—that demons were the spirits of those giants, the Nephilim, destroyed in the flood of Noah and that their cult was centered in ancient Bashan.”

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That cult center, according to Gilbert, lies in the northern region of modern-day Israel, around Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights—known in antiquity as Bashan, the territory of King Og, the last of the Rephaim. “That area had been what was known not just to the Jews, but to the neighboring Canaanites as a place dedicated to the gods of the earth,” Gilbert said.

He pointed out the staggering number of megalithic structures in that region, saying, “There are a number of other locations—at least 12 other locations like Gilgal Rephaim. Similar giant rings of stone around a central core.” These sites, Gilbert believes, mark ancient strongholds of demonic influence.

Gilbert believes Jesus Himself deliberately confronted these dark powers. “Jesus basically declared war on these demonic spirits,” he said. “He walks his guys there 30 miles from his base of operations in Capernaum. That’s like a 14-hour hike in sandals across rough terrain. So you got to want to go there to make a specific point.”

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From Jesus’ transfiguration on Mount Hermon to His declaration at Caesarea Philippi that “the gates of hell shall not prevail,” Gilbert says there’s a spiritual geography to Christ’s mission. “Where Jesus did what He did is just as important as what He did when He was there.”

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As tensions escalate in Israel today, Gilbert asks listeners to consider the unseen war that may be raging alongside the one we see in headlines.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

With the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, conversations surrounding the ancient “Prophecy of the Popes” have resurfaced—particularly the ominous final entry which speaks of a pope called Peter the Roman, who will lead the church during a time of great tribulation.

In a recent video, Christian researcher Josh Peck revisited the centuries-old prophecy attributed to St. Malachy, which some claim predicted every pope from the 12th century onward.

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The final prophecy reads: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman, who will pastor his sheep in many tribulations. And when these things are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. the end.”

Peck examined whether Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, could be the fulfillment of this prophecy. Some speculate that since all popes are considered successors to Peter and carry Roman influence, any pope could be called Peter the Roman. But Peck pushed back on this idea.

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“If Peter in ‘Peter the Roman’ only calls back to the idea that the apostle Peter was the first pope… then it would apply to every single pope,” he said. “So that being the case, why would it only be mentioned in the last one?”

Though various theories attempt to tie Pope Leo XIV to the prophecy—through his name, birthplace or Roman connections—Peck remained unconvinced. “I just have to be honest with you, I don’t see a strong case for Pope Leo the 14th fulfilling the prophecy of Peter the Roman,” he concluded. “Even if every single other prophecy of the past popes was correct and this was the only one that was wrong, then that’s not 100% prophecy and we shouldn’t give it credence.”

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Christians are reminded in Scripture to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1), and in times of rising speculation, it’s crucial to remain discerning. As Peck stated plainly, “If this prophecy is true, then this would be the last pope.”

But believers should not base their hope or fear on extra-biblical predictions.

The ultimate guide to what’s ahead remains unchanged: If you want to know what’s coming for humanity, read the book of Revelation.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

A growing number of professing Christians no longer see God’s commands as essential, instead choosing lifestyles that contradict Scripture.

In a recent message, Christian content creator Nik Keswani directly addressed this trend, warning that many who claim to follow Jesus are deceived about their spiritual condition.

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“My goal as a servant of Jesus Christ is not to please people, but to please God,” Keswani said.

Citing a Barna Research study, he pointed out that “out of the 2.4 billion professing Christians in the world, only 30% of them have said that they’re born again, and only 3% of them have said that they have an actual biblical worldview.”

His conclusion: “This means that 97% of professing Christians will perish in eternal hellfire.”

Keswani rejects the idea that ongoing sin is compatible with a genuine walk with Christ.

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“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning,” he quoted from 1 John 3:9. He also criticized emotional approaches to faith that ignore Scripture: “Professing Christians nowadays are being led astray by emotionalism rather than biblical truth.”

He challenged believers to take seriously their obedience to Christ. “It’s time Christians stop treating God as their boyfriend and start revering Him as their sovereign master,” he said. “Is your name written in the book of life? And does God really know your name?”

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His message closed with a plea: “Don’t let Satan rob you of your eternal destiny… Enough is enough.”

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Many Christians today are wondering why they still feel trapped in cycles of sin, emotional instability or spiritual burnout, even when they genuinely love God and attend church faithfully.

In a recent video, Kap Chatfield tackles this head-on with a powerful message: “Most Christians live from their body or their soul, not from their spirit where God dwells.” He explains that understanding ourselves as three-part beings, spirit, soul and body, is the key to lasting freedom.

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Chatfield walks viewers through a biblical blueprint that connects the Old Testament temple to the believer’s life today.

Look for Kap Chatfield’s upcoming new book, Prosperity Is Not a Curse Word. Available soon on amazon.com.

Just as the temple had an outer court, holy place and holy of holies, so too do we have a body, soul and spirit. “You are God’s temple if you’ve given your life to Jesus,” he teaches, explaining that the Holy Spirit dwells in the deepest part of our being. But many of us carry “hidden chambers” in our soul where spiritual wounds, lies and even generational baggage live unchecked.

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Chatfield calls on believers to invite the Holy Spirit to search those places and bring healing, saying, “The Holy Spirit does not condemn, He convicts.”

To hear the full discussion from Chatfield, watch the video above.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In a powerful word shared with viewers this month, Christian speaker Alwyn Uys declared that May is a season of breakthrough—preceded by a very intentional breaking.

“You are taking territory for the kingdom of God and the devil hates you for it,” Uys opened, setting the tone for a message aimed at those feeling the strain of spiritual resistance.

Uys acknowledged the difficulty many are facing, but pointed to the pressure as proof that God is moving: “Even though you do not see the expansion… know that the resistance is a confirmation for what God is doing behind the scenes.”

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He emphasized that this season is not about personal prosperity but about God’s greater purpose. “This is not for personal gain. This is not for fattening up your bank account. This is for the kingdom of God, for what Jesus is doing in the earth.”

One of the most striking images Uys shared was a vision of a slingshot: “In that pulling backwards phase, it might feel that you’re going backwards… But the moment that it is released, the projectile can go far further through the tension.”

According to Uys, this resistance is setting the stage for acceleration: “There is a moment coming of release where the resistance gives way and the projectile gets slingshot forward.”

He encouraged believers not to shrink back but to fully engage in what God is doing. “It is an all-in moment,” Uys urged, reading from Isaiah 54:2-3: “Do not spare. Lengthen your cords… For you shall expand to the right and to the left.”

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For those still waiting to see fruit from their obedience, he offered this reassurance: “Let the resistance and the opposition be a confirmation for you for what God is doing in your life.”

As the month unfolds, Uys’ message serves as a challenge and comfort for anyone facing pressure. In his words: “It is worth all the resistance. It is worth all the push back.”

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

In a wide-ranging prophetic update, Joseph Z raised serious questions about government activity, looming economic manipulation through AI and a coming wave of spiritual resistance.

Broadcasting from a snowstorm in Colorado, Z shared what he sees as both warnings and signs of breakthrough, urging viewers to stay spiritually alert as unsettling truths continue surfacing in the public square.

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“There are so many things we’ve got to look at,” he said. “Prophetically speaking, there is just a lot taking place in the world and of course right around us.” Among the more startling claims, Z referenced ongoing speculation that the U.S. national debt may be linked to “underground military bases,” something he says his ministry began warning about two years ago. “This nefarious thing with underground bases… is suddenly coming to the mainstream,” he stated.

Z also highlighted the cryptic warning from journalist James O’Keefe: “I’m not suicidal.” Z noted that many are speculating O’Keefe’s next exposé could be tied to the long-awaited Epstein files. Regardless of what emerges, Z encouraged believers to stay the course. “The battle’s not over, but we are taking ground and we are taking a lot of territory right now,” he declared. “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”

He pointed to spiritual revival and cultural reformation as key outcomes of the exposure of corruption in high places. “There will be unprecedented exposure to these wicked agendas that have been in high offices holding down the culture,” he prophesied. “It’s going to start to come to us.”

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Whether it’s AI’s looming role in economic control or government secrets hidden beneath our feet, Z believes the Church must remain on high alert and fully engaged in intercession. “Let’s keep praying. Let’s keep watching. Let’s keep discerning,” he urged.

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Is America ready for what’s about to be revealed? According to Z, now is the time to strike the ground in prayer—because the shaking has only just begun.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.

Apostle John Eckhardt is sounding the alarm: the Church cannot afford to ignore the reality of spiritual warfare in 2025. In a recent teaching, he shared his personal journey with the late C. Peter Wagner, who “was the professor of church growth,” and whose groundbreaking book Warfare Prayer revealed how “when Satan interferes with God’s work on earth, believers must take action—not through fleshly means, but through prayer as a weapon.”

According to Eckhardt, this kind of focused, militant intercession isn’t about attacking people—it’s about confronting and defeating the forces of hell that resist the spread of the gospel. “Warfare prayer is not an end in itself,” he explains. “It serves the primary goal of reaching the lost with the gospel.”

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What Effective Warfare Requires

Eckhardt lays out key characteristics of effective warfare prayer:

• “Prayer is powerful when it’s rooted in God’s desire to save souls.”
• “Effective warriors must live lives of personal holiness and obedience.”
• “Believers have authority in Christ… to tread on all the power of the enemy.”
• “Warfare prayer requires strategic and informed engagement, not reckless or arrogant battles.”

Referencing James 5:16, he adds, “The prayer of the righteous person is powerful and effective.”

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The Three Levels of Spiritual Warfare

Wagner taught that spiritual warfare takes place on three levels, each demanding a different strategy:

1. Ground-Level Warfare – “That’s personal deliverance from demonic oppression, praying for individuals to be set free.”
2. Occult-Level Warfare – “Engaging against witchcraft, occult powers, and false religion requires discernment and careful engagement.”
3. Strategic-Level Warfare – “Confronting territorial spirits and principalities ruling over regions, cities, and nations requires collective, corporate, and often apostolic prayer efforts.”

Eckhardt cited powerful examples, including mass crusades in Argentina where evangelist Carlos Annacondia confronted demons publicly. “After a crusade in a town or city where the church was not growing, the churches would begin to grow… because something was broken.”

Warnings and Cautions of Warfare

But spiritual warfare is not for the unprepared. “Avoid arrogance. Don’t pick fights with principalities without God’s clear leading,” he warned. “Even Michael the Archangel said, ‘The Lord rebuke thee.’” Eckhardt also urged believers to “stay under authority… lone rangers in warfare can become victims and vulnerable.”

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He emphasized that spiritual warriors must be fully equipped: “Wear the full armor of God—spiritual armor, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, the helmet of salvation, the gospel shoes of peace.”

Ultimately, Eckhardt reminded the church of its mission: “We fight not for the sake of fighting, but to establish the lordship of Jesus over territories and peoples.”

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If churches want to see revival, growth and breakthrough in 2025 and beyond, it won’t come through human programs alone—but through bold, strategic and Spirit-led warfare prayer.

James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.