As I minister around the world, I see a resurgence within the body of Christ for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In God’s people from all denominations, whether pastors and other leaders or the people within the congregations, there is a cry for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is a definite move of God, as the altars are full of people desiring to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Men, women, youth and children are activating their faith and are receiving this precious power from above. Grown men and intellectuals who have struggled for years with receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit are receiving instantly and weeping for joy as they begin to speak in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is the beginning step to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and is for every born-again believer. Luke 5: 37-38 says, “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the new wine will burst the wineskins, and it will be spilled, and the wineskins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” When you become born-again, your spirit becomes eternally alive and heaven bound with Jesus. Concerning the gift of tongues, it is given to all believers who believe and activate their faith to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit Peter said to them in Acts 2:38-39, “”Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Speaking in tongues is for all believers, from the time of the early church on the Day of Pentecost to today with ourselves and to our children and to our grandchildren and to their children—until the day of the Lord’s return.

Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak” (Acts 2:4). And your supernatural language from God is the evidence that you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And is the beginning of your journey into the supernatural realm with the Holy Spirit.

Now, when being baptized in the Holy Spirit, you must activate your faith, as with any other promise of God. The Holy Spirit will not force you to open up your mouth and speak. You must cooperate with Him, open up your mouth, move your tongue and give voice to the words springing up from within your spirit. And that’s how you activate your faith to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

We are to speak in tongues when we pray. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:18, “I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all.” How often do you speak in tongues? You should speak in tongues daily, and often throughout your day. Praying in tongues opens up this miraculous realm for you.

This amazing spiritual gift of speaking in tongues has powerful benefits for you.

1. Endued with Power: “And look, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). This power gives you the ability to take the kingdom of God, and His promises by force and activate power to those all around. You see your enemy, Satan, does not want you to manifest God’s promises in your life. He battles hard against you to keep you from walking in victory. But as you learn to activate the gift of tongues when you pray, you cause this enemy to loosen his grip, and your miracle manifests.
2. Speak Mysteries: First Corinthians 14:2 describes these mysteries for us. “For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. For no one understands him, although in the spirit, he speaks mysteries.” This word “mysteries” (Strong’s G3466 – mystērion) means hidden thing, secret or mystery. When you speak in tongues you speak into existence the hidden or secret things God has planned for you. I have seen this principle work time and time again in my life and ministry.
3. Encourage Yourself: Paul admonishes us in 1 Corinthians 14:4 that “He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” Speaking in tongues launches you outside of the realm of depression and into the realm of joy.
4. Magnify God: Cor­nelius and his household began to speak with tongues, and magnify God. Acts 10:46a says, “For they heard them speaking in other tongues and magnifying God.” I tell you the truth: If we would begin to speak with tongues, it would prevent us from magnifying the wrong things, such as the works of Satan, including sickness and disease, and we would all be a whole lot better for it. Begin to speak with tongues and magnify God.

This is an amazing revival of the Spirit of God, and as God’s people begin to speak in tongues, not only do they themselves change, but entire families, congregations, communities, businesses and ministries transform as well. Don’t miss out on what the Holy Spirit has for you. Be baptized in the Holy Spirit, speak with heavenly tongues and release its benefits to those around you. {eoa}

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the author of DARE to Believe, Greater Than Magic and The Healing Creed. Visit her at .

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When I stretch out my arms and turn a full circle, almost everyone brushed by my fingertips is in the middle of staggering hardship right now. I hardly know a single family untouched by life-altering medical diagnoses. And then there are those with immense financial strain, marriages for which we’re holding our breath and kids breaking their parents’ hearts.

Last week, I attended the funeral of a friend, and now another dear friend holds the hand of her mother as she slips away. I wake up in the night and groan in prayer for their painful, intense journey, waiting for the news that this beautiful woman has left us and gone to be with Jesus.

Sorrow upon sorrow.

One friend was hesitant to share fresh, hard news from his family. “There’s just so much hurt in everyone’s lives right now. I hate to add to the pile.”

Such a pile.

But we turn to Jesus and listen. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).

The word “trouble” means pressure, and I immediately think of how my heart feels these days. Squeezed. Aching.

It seems fitting that Jesus gives only one instruction, and it’s specifically what to do with my heart, which is being crushed under all this hard news.

Take heart.

Do something with your heart!

This same instruction is found in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus and his disciples are leaving Jericho, and a blind man calls out to Jesus from the side of the road, begging for mercy.

(Mercy. Yes, please. Couldn’t we all use a dose of that right now?)

Jesus tells his disciples to call the man, so they holler: Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you” (Mark 10:49b, MEV).

Forgive me, but I hear this in a British accent, and it makes me laugh out loud: “Cheer up, man! Do something with that discouraged heart of yours. On your feet—spit-spot!”

There’s something wonderfully hopeful about being told to pull your heart together and get to your feet. With anticipation, the man jumps up and goes to Jesus, and he finds that mercy for which he’s been desperately looking.

As pressures continue in my corner of the world, this is what I continue to do every morning, every hour of the day and in the dark hours of the night: I feel the pressure of troubles and obediently cheer up my heart by thinking about God’s promises, jump to my feet with hope and go to Jesus, in anticipation that He can and will do good and show mercy to me and all my people. He’s so kind.

Cheerio. {eoa}

This article originally appeared at .

Life is full of seasons. Some are difficult, and others are easy. Some are joyful, and others can be full of grief and pain. Some seasons are full of growth and success, and some are a time of God calling you deeper. Wherever you are in life, though, I know that God is there in the midst of it all with you. He has something to speak to you in your current situation, and He has a plan for your future.

Draw Close to God

God favors women who commit their lives to ministering to Him—who draw near to Him, worship Him, declare His worth on the earth, meditate on His Word and access His heart. Ministering to the Lord means loving God with all of our hearts. This is our primary calling, even above ministering to others. Learning to repent, trust God, and abide in Him are keys to remaining close to the Lord.

When we draw close to God, we will serve and work from a place of love and not for the sake of works or performance. Often, we can develop a works mentality. As we spend time with the Lord, He will bring breakthrough to our hearts, and we will see ourselves in the light of His glory. Ministering to the Lord is not burdensome—it is a privilege and honor. It is key to developing your identity; it is key to unlocking your destiny. Psalm 16:11 says, “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” If you’re facing confusion regarding who you are and what you’re designed to do with your life, try ministering to the Lord. As you consecrate yourself to God and spend time declaring His name and your love for Him, He will show you the path of life.

Transform From the Inside Out

If you remember the story of Esther, you know her journey to greatness and influence did not happen overnight. She did not arrive in the palace one day and have the king fall in love with her and make her queen the next. She had to endure a beautifying process mandated by Persian culture that included six months in oil of myrrh and six months in spices and ointments. Every young girl in the harem had to go through this process before she could even approach the king. Just as Esther endured a physical beautifying process to prepare for her assignment as queen, so must we go through a spiritual beautifying process as God prepares us for our destinies and purposes.

The refining of our characters is essential to God’s plan for our lives. God cannot use a proud woman (or man). The preparation process God takes us through presses and purges out impurities of the heart and spirit, such as pride, rebellion, selfishness and bitterness, so we can be pliable in the hands of the Lord to follow His lead to fulfill our purposes. We can’t be an effective vessel with baggage weighing on us, affecting our ability to hear and obey God. We can have far-reaching influence and a legacy that spans cultures and generations, just as Esther did. But we must first submit to the beautification and purification process of the Holy Spirit.

Allow the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out. His refining will purge out of us the things that will hinder us from being the women God has called us to be and infuse into us the fragrant character of God. As we begin to authentically display the attributes of a godly woman, we will find favor to fulfill our assignments. We will find the scepter being extended to us without limit to every place our feet should tread. {eoa}

Michelle McClain-Walters has traveled to more than 40 nations and has conducted schools of the prophetic that have activated thousands in the art of hearing the voice of God. She is the author of The Prophetic Advantage, and she currently serves as director of prayer ministry on the staff of Crusaders Church under the leadership of Apostle John Eckhardt. She is also one of the house prophets and apostolic team leaders at Crusaders Church. She resides in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, Floyd Walters Jr.

This article is an excerpt from her book Prayers and Declarations for the Woman of God (Charisma House, 2018).

Gaining and maintaining good health is of utmost importance, but did you ever stop to think about the importance of God’s Word to accomplish this goal? Most would answer they never considered the connection between good health and God’s Word, but it is the most important element to obtaining good health.

Here’s what God’s Word has to say concerning our health and the Scriptures.

“My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their body. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you” (Prov. 4:20-24).

A life founded upon the Scriptures is a life that prospers and remains protected from the attacks of the evil one. And remaining in the healing Scriptures keeps one strong and healthy. God’s Word produces life in your mortal body, and it keeps your mind and emotions healthy.

Knowing this, it is wisdom to incorporate the study of God’s healing Word into your daily wellness routine. In fact, God’s Word is to be the center of this routine. And no matter what your schedule may be, God’s Word needs to be at the top of the list. The most important supplement you can take is the Word of God. It gives you life and brings health to all your flesh.

You have a coach, the Holy Spirit. He will lead you and guide you into all truth. See John 16:13. You have been given the means to encourage yourself when you feel weak in the faith in this, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself,” 1 Cor. 14:4a. {eoa}

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the author of DARE to Believe, Greater Than Magic and  The Healing Creed. Visit her at .

This article originally appeared at .

“Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you.”

I don’t think there was ever a saying that’s more untrue. Words do matter, and words can inflict some of the most intense, long-lasting damage we’ll ever see. And the hurt caused by words can seldom be smoothed over and healed quickly. This type of injury usually has a long recovery time.

As a parent, some of my greatest challenges were how to help my sons process unkind and even vicious verbal attacks. Sometimes the speaker intended to lash out and cause as much hurt as possible. In other instances, the words were spoken in haste or without thought. It didn’t always matter which situation I faced, the devastating effects of hurtful words left wounds that took a lot to heal.

I’ve tried to instill wisdom into my kids regarding words. I want them to understand that the labels and accusations from others don’t define who they are. And on the flip side of the coin, I’ve tried to help them see that the words they use to other people carry weight and can sometimes matter deeply to that person.

Here’s one of the prayers I’ve used when I encounter this situation.

Dear Lord,

You are the Creator of life. You spoke the world into existence through Your words. Help me know as I try to impart to my child the wisdom of words. There are two sides to words—the speaking and the hearing.

Help me teach my child to measure his words. Let him take the lessons he’s learned receiving harsh words to temper his own. Give him a heart to encourage others. Grow his ability to be kind until that is one of the adjectives others use to describe him.

On the other hand, keep him from defining himself through the hurtful words of others. Don’t let him allow their labels—spoken with malice or in haste—become the adjectives he uses to describe himself.

Most of all, lead my child to Your words. Let him breathe them in and accept them as the truth by which he measures every aspect of his life. Remind him that You find him valuable and that Your love for him knows no bounds. Amen. {eoa}

Edie Melson—author, blogger, speaker—has written numerous books, including While My Child is Away: Prayers for When We’re Apart. Married to her high school sweetheart, she and Kirk live in the upstate of South Carolina and have raised three sons. Connect with her on , hrough Twitter and Facebook.

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This moving tribute to Billy Graham, produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, contains powerful clips from Billy Graham himself as well as from others who knew the global evangelist well. Watch as his ministry and message unfold in the power of the Spirit!

In this powerful clip from Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural!, apostolic Bible teacher Dr. Robert Heidler of Glory of Zion Ministries shares a dynamic lesson on the Old Testament feasts, including the Sabbath. Be sure to notice his emphasis on the importance of Sabbath rest.

Pastor and best-selling author Francis Chan is known for his radical view of God’s Crazy Love. In this video, he shares transparently about some of God’s answers to his prayers—even the ones he considered “silly” or unimportant. Watch and see why he says, “Everything in our life is …supernatural.”

Have you recently experienced frustration? Something or someone irritated you?  Plans didn’t go your way?

That seems to be happening more lately. Increased seasonal traffic annoys me. People who don’t follow through on what they said they would do end up frustrating me. I’m irritated by circumstances that cause me to make two separate trips to purchase the same item.

But what if the cause of the irritation is not external at all? What if I’m the cause of my own frustration?

Someone once said, “The level of your frustration is directly related to the level of your expectations.”

Read that again.

Ouch.

So the real cause of my own grief is most likely … me.

Knowing we live in a broken world, why do I go through life expecting people to respond perfectly? Especially when I know I don’t!

Understanding that our little town experiences a population surge during the winter season, why do I get annoyed at the increased traffic?

Failing to take the time to plan properly, why am I surprised that one task requires multiple trips to the store?

Unrealistic expectations. Expectations grounded in reality as I want it to be, rather than the way it is.

Ancient Israel had a similar problem. Their expectations of the coming Messiah were based on cherry-picked prophecies. The sad result was that they didn’t recognize Him when He did come. They were so busy looking for a victorious military leader that they missed the Suffering Servant who came to redeem humanity.

So what’s the answer?

I believe the answer for a Christian is to live expectantly.

To live expectantly is to live in eager anticipation for how God will work in our life, without setting specific expectations or demands on what that will look like. Living expectantly allows us to recognize where the Holy Spirit might be moving in areas we would not normally look for Him. And it communicates that we are satisfied with whatever the Lord does, allows, or gives—without comparing it to our own agenda or shopping list.

Those who live expectantly have the privilege of living out a truth understood by martyred missionary Jim Elliot: “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him.”

Will you join me? Together, let’s put aside our expectations and live in daily expectancy for how God will show Himself active in our life. And as He does, share your experiences with others to increase their own sense of expectancy. {eoa}

 Ava Pennington is a writer, speaker and Bible teacher. She writes for nationally circulated magazines and is published in 32 anthologies, including 25 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also authored Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, endorsed by Kay Arthur. Learn more at  .

This article originally appeared at .

The word of the Lord would say to you, “Those who have ears to hear, listen.

“I know the plans I have for you. They are not filled with destruction but are ordained to bless and prosper you.

“Yes, we are living in the end, but I have not left you high and dry on the wayside.

“No, I have set you on the path of righteousness, and the righteous hear of the end and they are glad.

“They are not filled with fear because they are fully aware of My faithfulness to them.

“Now, they are not naive like the foolish virgins, but are ready and prepared like the wise ones.

“What did the wise possess? They had lamps filled with oil to shine their light. And their light shined for all to see, and their light was not hidden from the foolish. All could see that they carried the light.

“They possessed the oil necessary to light their lamps. They even were prepared to shine when other lamps would grow dim for they possessed extra oil. They were wise and therefore tapped into the abundance of the oil before the return of their groom.

“This portion of the bride was already dressed and ready to meet their groom whenever He would call them up hither. The crier asks you, ‘Are you ready to meet your groom?’

“Are your garments spotless? Have you rid yourself of all sin issues? Or do you have some more clean up to do?

“Are your garments free from wrinkles? Have you pressed them out? Or do you need to put the pressure on the old man’s ways and demand them out of your life for good?

The wise ready themselves to meet the groom; the foolish do not. Are you ready?” {eoa}

Becky Dvorak is a prophetic healing evangelist and the author of DARE to Believe, Greater Than Magic and  The Healing Creed. Visit her at .

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