My wife and I went through a very intense trial last year where we needed to stand firm on the Word of God. Our faith was tested. We could choose to trust God’s promises or succumb to fear and doubt.

During this time I was growing weary, and then God gave me a dream. In the dream, I was driving a car with a very powerful engine. I was going up a very steep mountain with 15 or 20 cars ahead of me. They were all struggling to get up the hill. Suddenly, one at a time, they each started drifting backward and sliding down the hill. I had to pull off the road to avoid being hit, as one after another they slid down the hill to their ruin. They all crashed at the bottom of the hill.

The road ahead was now clear, so I proceeded up without any problem. The power of the car took me up and over the crest. At the top, I could see everything was white and covered with snow. It was beautiful, like a smooth white blanket. The air was still and peaceful. It was as if a heavy snowfall had occurred the night before, and now the day was calm, serene and crystal white. I noticed only one other car had made it to the top, and then I awoke.

The Lord showed me that the car represented my life with my wife and our ministry. I was not in a large car. I noticed all the other cars sliding down the hill were larger than mine. The large cars represented larger ministries. Even though they were large, they were now preaching a watered-down message or they compromised the Word of God. Specifically, they were not teaching about holiness, resisting sin, walking in fear of the Lord or an eternal hell. These things caused their ministries to fall.

The powerful engine in my car represented the Word of God. When we believe, obey and refuse to let go of God’s promises, God’s grace will propel us to the top onto the pure white snow of His unfailing Word. This is where we find peace and safety.

During this difficult time, we had to declare God’s promises throughout the day. We thanked Him and trusted Him for an intense couple of months. We had to resist fear, doubt and lies that would hit our minds. We had moments of weakness, but we knew God was faithful. We had to cast our care on Jesus, rebuke the enemy, and reject thoughts of failure, doubt and unbelief. God had never let us down, and we knew having His Word in our heart was the key. I wrote down specific Scriptures to stand on and feed my faith with. We refused to let go of God’s Word. We also felt led to take Communion together for 40 days.

It was a fight of faith. When things look the worst, our faith is revealed. The Bible says it is a good fight—the fight of faith. After 40 days of Communion, we received the first sign of breakthrough. God had given us a bit of encouragement that we were winning the battle by His grace. If He will do it for us, He will do it for you.

Today, we are all facing challenging times. The world has changed, and demonic forces have been unleashed upon the earth. Now, more then ever, we need to be close to the Lord and respect and value God’s Word. If we don’t, we will fall.

No matter what you are going through, surrender your life to Jesus Christ and spend time reading the Bible and in prayer. He will lead you into victory. Find a Bible verse that declares what He will do or has done for someone in the Bible. He is no respecter of persons. There are scriptural promises for protection, healing, provision, restoration of relationships, parenting, salvation for family members and more. If you will find even one verse to stand on and really trust Him, He will be faithful to perform His Word for you. We show our trust in His Word by thanking Him for the victory in advance and praising Him in the midst of the storm. {eoa}

Bill Wiese is the author of the New York Times bestselling book 23 Minutes In Hell, the story of his life-changing visit to hell in 1998. Bill has since authored six additional books and continues to share his experience around the world. He and his wife, Annette, founded Soul Choice Ministries in 2006 and have dedicated their lives to reaching the unsaved.

For more information about Bill Wiese and Soul Choice Ministries please visit: soulchoiceministries.org/.

Find more of Bill’s teachings at: youtube.com/user/BillWieseTV.

Early in the morning on Feb. 24, President Vladimir Putin of Russia began what he called a “peacekeeping mission” in Ukraine. It was, in fact, a hostile and unlawful act of war that has been condemned by the world community. As soon as Russian bombs began falling on the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa and the Donbas region, a Ukrainian pastor in South River, New Jersey, gathered his church to pray.

“We mobilized 24-hour prayer for five days,” says Viktor Marach, pastor of Grace Church in South River, home to a large Ukrainian population. Last Sunday, many Ukrainian Christians gathered in the city with the mayor and local police officers to pray for peace.

Like many Ukrainian-American Christians, Pastor Marach came to the United States after the Soviet Union dissolved in the early 1990s. He left Ukraine to seek religious freedom, but he cares about his family and friends back home—many of whom have fled to Poland or Romania, or to small Ukrainian villages where they can avoid bomb attacks.

“The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight” (Esth. 2:17a, NKJV).

As a result of the king’s love and favor, Esther was made queen. From her unique position God used her to intercede for His people, and they were saved from slaughter.

This is a rallying cry for “Esthers” around the globe to intercede for God’s people who are under attack in Ukraine. To be honest, because of the almost nonstop attacks and suffering in my own family, I have sought to shield my heart from what is taking place in Eastern Europe. But no more. My heart is shattered. I well remember holding “Just Give Me Jesus” in Kyiv in 2005, which was attended by thousands of women. I can still hear their voices lifted in worship. I can still see their faces as they discovered how to hear God’s voice speaking to them through His word. I weep when I remember their uplifted white flags of surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.

I wonder … where are they now?

Now, when under attack from Russia? Now, when no nation is coming to their defense? Now, when husbands, brothers, and sons are kissing them good-bye before going out to resist the aggression, leaving these dear women defenseless with their children? So for those of us who are Esthers beloved by the King, let’s take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Then join me as we pray for all the saints in Ukraine, but in particular for the women:

Lord of the nations, King of our hearts,

You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way. …You make wars to cease to the ends of the earth. … You will be exalted among the nations (see Ps. 46). And so we fix our eyes on You, even as we ask You to fix Your eyes on the women in Ukraine. On their behalf, we turn to You. We run to You. We cling to You. We plead with You.

God of mercies,

Please. Command Your angels to guard the Ukrainian women and children. Rescue them. Protect them. Hear their cries. Answer their prayers. Draw near to them so that they feel Your loving presence. Feed them with manna from heaven. Keep them warm as they huddle in basements and bomb shelters and subway tunnels. Give them wisdom and clear direction for the next steps. Surround them with those who will pray with them and for them. Bring Your promises to their minds. Whisper to them that they are not alone. … You are with them as they live in this valley of the shadow of death (see Ps. 23:4). Turn their hearts to hold fast to You, then deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Lord of hosts, captain of heaven’s armies,

You have said You love justice (Ps. 99:4). You have said You will judge the world in righteousness (Ps. 98:9). Surely this is the time for all the people to see Your glory as You part Your heavens, O Lord, and come down … send forth lightning and scatter their enemies (Ps. 144:5-6). Rain down hailstones on the invading army as You did when the Amorites attacked Your people (Josh. 10:11). Terrorize the enemy forces, throw them into confusion, using hornets to drive them back as you did against the Canaanites (Ex. 23:27-28). Strike them with blindness (2 Kings 6:18). Close the airspace over Ukraine in Your own way (see 2 Kings 6:17). Send forth the angel of death to destroy the invading forces as You did when the Assyrians attacked Jerusalem (Isa. 37:36-37). Convict the Russians soldiers of their cruelty and unwarranted aggression so that they lay down their arms. What Vladimir Putin has planned, bring back on his own head. Provoke the Russian people to protest by the hundreds of thousands, toppling their evil leadership, even as he seeks to topple the leadership in Kyiv.

O God of might and glory, make Yourself known. Execute justice. Assert Your righteousness. Triumph over evil. Establish peace. We women You love who have found favor with You—we stand against the enemy on our knees, gripping the sword in our hand. Hear our prayer. Save our sisters. Give supernatural strength and courage to their husbands, fathers and sons, then bring them safely home.

For Your great name’s sake—Jesus,

Amen. {eoa}

This article originally appeared at annegrahamlotz.org.

Called “the best preacher in the family” by her father, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz speaks around the globe with the wisdom and authority of years spent studying God’s Word. The New York Times named Anne one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. She’s been profiled on 60 Minutes and has appeared on TV programs such as Larry King Live, Today and Hannity Live. Her Just Give Me Jesus revivals have been held in more than 30 cities in 12 different countries to hundreds of thousands of attendees. She is also a best-selling and award-winning author. Her most recent releases are The Light of His Presence, Jesus in Me, The Daniel Prayer, Wounded by God’s People, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, Expecting to See Jesus and her first children’s book, Heaven: God’s Promise for Me.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Pastor Vladimir Savchuk, born in the Ukraine, immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 13. Today, he leads HungryGen Church in Pasco, Washington, and hosts the Vlad Savchuk Podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network.

He and his wife, Lana, a native of Russia, hosted a special prayer time for their two countries this week. Their local paper once referred to the couple as “a house divided,” but in Jesus, they are one.

Prior to the prayer time, Pastor Vlad interviewed Dr. Roman Sheremeta, a believer and Case Western Reserve University professor now living and teaching in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Lift up this troubled area of the world with them as, in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Savchuks intercede on behalf of these two nations. Watch and pray along with the video above or at this link. {eoa}

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Recently I have been hearing the words in my spirit: “for the set time to favor her has come.” God sets the timing for favor to be released, according to His purposes for specific seasons. The body of Christ is being established now and positioned by God into a new sphere of supernatural favor to accomplish His plan and His will in the season ahead.

The enemy is counteracting with fierce warfare against the people of God and we can easily miss the movement that is breaking us out by becoming distracted by our personal warfare!

There are places God is about to take us and things He has ordained for us to do that only He can orchestrate. These are things that require supernatural intervention that we cannot do for ourselves. When the appointed time arrives, God’s favor will suddenly open doors, phone calls will be received and divine appointments will occur in the spirit of serendipity, where events suddenly happen by chance to aid and benefit us for the road ahead. {eoa}

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Join with me as we discuss God’s generosity in relationship to his Word and our daily living. This new series is based on my book Generosity, What’s in It for Me? We’ll learn how to understand and receive God’s generosity.

When the Bible tells us to give and we will receive, it’s simply a way of God showing His desire to bless us. In our marriages, we must have a generous spirit to be a blessing to each other. The local church needs generous giving by its members to achieve its purpose. You will learn how giving produces growth. This series will explain the blessings of generational generosity, conditional generosity and contingent generosity.

Our motives are crucial to receive God’s generous gifts. I will explain the benefits of generous giving to your church. When we understand radical giving, we will become aware of radical receiving. This series will deal with how to understand when to give and when we must refrain from giving.

Thankfulness brings forth generosity. It’s the key to open the windows of heaven.

As you listen to these podcasts, I believe the Lord will reveal to you how to leave a legacy of generosity for others to follow. I will explain the significance of proper Spirit-led investing. His generosity is God’s promise. His Word tells us we should “Prosper in all things and be in good health even as [our] soul prospers” (3 John 1:2, NHEV). As we go through these podcasts on generosity, we will gain a better understanding of generous living. In addition, we will become aware of God’s numerous plans of blessing His people. {eoa}

David Friend founded and served as lead pastor of North Scottsdale Christian Church. He was a banker for 15 years and taught finance and banking for five years at Arizona colleges. He owned a real estate development company in Scottsdale, Arizona. David has written and published several books on living debt free, budgeting, faith, generosity and the Vietnam War. He served his country in the United States Army in Vietnam. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife, Sharon. Together they have two children and six grandchildren.

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“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:18-21, NIV).

Since Jan. 1, our family has been caught up in a whirlpool of suffering on many levels. Our beloved pastor and dear friend, Ray Bentley, suddenly and unexpectedly went to be with Jesus on Jan. 4. Four days later, Rachel-Ruth was admitted to the hospital with her first of two heart attacks. My first cousin was placed in ICU with COVID, where he is still fighting for his life. Another cousin has begun chemo for cancer that has returned for the third time. My sister’s granddaughter is undergoing intense therapy as she learns to walk again after a massive car accident. My brother had surgery for prostate cancer. My son has been told his lungs may never improve. And I have apparently pulled my groin muscle, which makes even walking to the kitchen painful.

All of this makes me wonder two things: Is my family—and am I—under an assigned assault from our spiritual enemy? And—are you also under attack?

Disease, death, danger, disasters and the darkness of corruption and chaos, disruption and division, stress and suicide, wars and rumors of wars, are all markers, I believe, to indicate we are living at the end of human history as we know it. The enemy knows his time is running out, and he is waging all-out war on God’s people.

My daughter, Morrow, sent the following link to a music video as her prayer for me. It so resonated with my heart that it brought me to tears. I want to forward it as my prayer for you:

There is power in the name of Jesus. So let’s keep praying for each other as we keep looking up! {eoa}

This article originally appeared at annegrahamlotz.org.

Called “the best preacher in the family” by her father, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz speaks around the globe with the wisdom and authority of years spent studying God’s Word. The New York Times named Anne one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. She’s been profiled on 60 Minutes and has appeared on TV programs such as Larry King Live, Today and Hannity Live. Her Just Give Me Jesus revivals have been held in more than 30 cities in 12 different countries to hundreds of thousands of attendees. She is also a best-selling and award-winning author. Her most recent releases are The Light of His Presence, Jesus in Me, The Daniel Prayer, Wounded by God’s People, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, Expecting to See Jesus and her first children’s book, Heaven: God’s Promise for Me.

Following are snippets of the top stories featured this week oncharismamag.com. We invite you to visit the links to read the stories in full.

“We can see end-time prophecies being fulfilled all around us, but people are not paying attention. The four horsemen described in the book of Revelation 6 are beginning to somewhat show signs of their work. You only need to look at the last five years of the world, and you can see signs of their arrival-—signs of their effects upon the earth.”

So opens this powerful video from Lion of Judah that delves into the book of Revelation to explore its hidden mysteries, including the way it reveals the true and living Christ as no other book in the Bible. Revelation also reveals the future, with its truths unfolding before our eyes. And one of these is an end-time prophecy now taking place all around us.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp capped off a successful, record-breaking season with a Super Bowl win and the distinct honor of being named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Kupp said Sunday night after his team beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 that he believes God revealed a vision to him in 2019 after the Rams lost to the Patriots. The vision showed him his team would make it to a future Super Bowl and that he would be designated the MVP.

“I don’t know what it was, there was just this vision that God revealed to me that we were going to come back, we were going to be a part of a Super Bowl, we were going to win it,” he said. “And somehow—somehow I was going to walk off the field as the MVP of the game.” {eoa}

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.

Bethel Church has launched a 24/7 prayer campaign for co-Pastor Beni Johnson, the wife of Pastor Bill Johnson, as she battles cancer.

The Redding, California-based church posted an update on Beni’s health to Instagram, asking believers to stand with them and pray for her, especially for her breathing.

“As many of you already know, Beni Johnson has been on a health journey of overcoming cancer. We’ve been praying consistently, and she has experienced a measure of breakthrough. Now we feel led by the Lord to invite you, the local and global Church, to join us in contending for her full physical healing,” the church wrote.

“Stand with us as we intentionally press in for victory for Beni, and sign up for a 15-minute prayer slot. Let’s see prayer happen around the world—24 hours a day—during these coming weeks. Head to the link in our bio to sign up, and pray in faith that Beni will experience total victory!”

You can sign up to pray for Beni over the next two weeks here.

To read the rest of this story, please visit our content partners at CBN News. {eoa}

With 130,000 Russian troops massing on the borders of Ukraine, threatening the biggest land war in Europe since World War II, Christians and Jews are gathering this week in the Estonian capital of Tallinn to pray urgently for Ukraine, for Israel and for the Lord to thwart Moscow’s threats and grant peace and security to all of Eastern Europe.

And I’m deeply honored to stand with these courageous men and women of faith in such a dark hour.

This is my first time to visit this tiny NATO country of only 1.3 million people, and it’s remarkable to think that Tallinn is only a 2 1/2 hour drive from the Russian border.

In 2018, I actually wrote a political thriller—The Kremlin Conspiracy—about a Putinesque dictator in Russia preparing to launch a massive attack on Ukraine, as well as the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, while American and other NATO leaders hesitate to stand up to Moscow and pursue the Ronald Reagan doctrine of “peace through strength.”

Four years later, it’s surreal to find myself here, talking to Estonians who fear that such a scenario may not be fiction after all.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast will be held for the first time in Estonia.

On Tuesday night, Rabbi Yehuda Glick, a former member of the Israeli Knesset, and I will be the keynote speakers at the “Celebrate Jerusalem Concert” held in the main church in Tallinn. It will be broadcast to the entire nation.

The breakfast itself will be held on Wednesday morning in the Estonian Parliament building.

Attending will be current and former government ministers, members of the Parliament and Christian leaders from around the country and several neighboring countries.

Speakers will include:

— Ambassador of Israel to Estonia Hagit Ben Yaakov.

— Speaker of the Estonian Parliament Jüri Ratas.

— Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (via video).

— The Knesset Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast Chair Member of Knesset Tatiana Mazarsky will send greetings from the Chagall Hall.

— Former Israeli Member of Knesset Glick and I will be the two keynote speakers.

You can register to watch the events for free by clicking here.

What Is the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast?

The main Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast is held annually in the Israeli capital. It attracts evangelicals from all over the world who want to better understand what’s happening in the epicenter and how to pray knowledgeably and effectively for Israel and the Jewish people, and “pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” according to Psalm 122:6.

Over the years, however, Christian leaders in other countries have requested the JPB organizers hold the two-day set of events in their countries to educate and inspire Christians who cannot get to Israel.

The goal is to help these believers learn more about God’s plan and purpose for the chosen people and the promised land, and how to bless Israel and the Jewish people according to Genesis 12:1-3 and the rest of the Scriptures.

The most recent JPB outside of Israel was held in Rome, Italy, last October.

Divine Timing

Albert Veksler, the leader of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast movement, began planning the event here in Estonia last year.

But he tells All Israel News that he sees the hand of God in the timing, given the escalating tensions in Ukraine, Israelis being evacuated from Kiev and other cities, and rising Estonian fears that they could be next.

He and his wife, Heli, were born and raised in Estonia before making aliyah after the collapse of the Soviet Union, moving to Israel and becoming Israeli citizens.

They remember the nightmare of Soviet occupation. They remember, too, the persecution that Jews and Christians faced under the aggressively atheist and anti-Zionist regime in Moscow. And they never want to see Estonia or its neighbors—including Ukraine—ever go back. What’s more, they want the former Soviet republics to stand with Israel.

“Estonia was the first country to give the Jewish community cultural autonomy in 1926 before the State of Israel was reborn,” said Veksler.

“The state of Estonia provided financial support for that,” he added. “A page was dedicated to the Republic of Estonia in the Golden Book of Jerusalem in 1927. Israel, in turn, was the first country to sell weapons to Estonia in 1993, after the rebirth of Estonia in 1991. All the other countries were hesitant to do so for fear of damaging relations with Russia.

Prayer Requests

Please join us in praying for the Lord to:

— Strengthen the unity between Jews and Christians at this dangerous hour.

— Supernaturally diffuse tensions and thwart any plans Moscow may have of invasion.

— Protect, encourage and strengthen the Estonian and Ukrainian followers of Jesus Christ to boldly minister to their fellow countrymen in such a dangerous moment.

— Encourage and strengthen the Estonian church to truly bless Israel and the Jewish people in such a time as this.

I would also ask for prayer that the Lord would “command me what to say and how to say it,” according to John 12:49 (NIV).

Event Schedule

Here’s the schedule. You can register to watch the events free by clicking here.

You can also replay all the programs at a later and more convenient time.

Feb. 15

— 13:00-16:00 (Israel time) Official Estonian Parliament Reception (6 a.m. EST and continues until 9 a.m. EST ).

— 19:30 (Israel time) Celebrate Jerusalem Concert at the Oleviste Church (11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. EST).

Feb. 16

— 09:00 (Israel time) Prayer Breakfast (2:00 a.m. EST).

— 11:00 (Israel time) Learning Sessions (4:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. EST). {eoa}

This article originally appeared at All Israel News.

Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.