I don’t know about you, but with recent Black Friday sales, followed by additional sales on Cyber Monday and charitable appeals for Giving Tuesday, my online inbox has been packed with seasonal offers, promotions and opportunities.

Unsurprisingly, with a hot stock market and very low unemployment, it would seem logical that Thanksgiving weekend sales appear higher than last year. The National Retail Federation reported that Black Friday sales rose 14% over last year and total weekend sales increased by 16%.

The Gift From Father God

This hyper-commercialization of what was intended as a God-centered season for thanksgiving and celebration is more than a little disconcerting. It overshadows the biblical reality that on the original “Black Friday,” God the Father gave His Son in order that we may have eternal life (Rom. 6:23).

The apostle John explained: “For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life” (John 3:16-17, TPT).

The above translation offers this explanatory footnote about “believing”: “Salvation and regeneration must be by faith. True faith (Greek pistis) has a number of components: acceptance, embracing something (someone) as truth, union with God and His Word, and an inner confidence that God alone is enough.”

This kind of saving faith compels and sustains believing saints to “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” throughout the ages and especially in the face of end-times trials and tribulations (Rev. 12:11, 17; 14:12).

Father God also destined that each one of His children would be “wired” with certain “creational” gifts, which make us unique and special in His sight. These gifts are described in Romans 12:3-8 and seem to be foundational to our own emotional makeup and personalities. They reveal how we are primarily motivated and tend to operate in life. They also explain why we respond to events and people as we do.

Peter taught that these motivational gifts tend to find expression as either spoken or serving efforts (1 Pet. 4:10-11). We are personally fulfilled when we function in these giftings and the responses from others testify to the fruitfulness of our efforts.

Gifts From the Son

Not only is Jesus Christ of Nazareth the incarnated Son of God come down to earth in human form, but He also promised to request the Father to send us another one, like Himself, to abide in us and to come alongside us (Greek paráklētos) to encourage and equip us for service and ministry in the kingdom of God (John 14:16-17).

While Jesus is the Savior from the guilt of sin, the Holy Spirit is the one like Him who saves us from the power of sin by living in and through us, producing Spirit-filled fruitfulness.

This kind of spiritual growth is a prerequisite for those who would desire to serve the body of Christ (the church) in leadership offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher (or pastor-teacher). These roles are actually gifts (Greek domata) to the church by its founder, Jesus Christ himself (Eph. 4:8-16) and are placed in the church to equip “the saints for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ” (v. 12, MEV).

Gifts From the Holy Spirit

This third member of the Trinity is the active agent of the godhead. It was actively “hovering over the face of the waters” at creation (Gen. 1:2). This “moving” or “sweeping” action suggests giving creative energy or power to the transformation of the earth below and the heavens above.

We must embrace this Spirit-gift and welcome His empowering work to equip us (fit us together) for the ministry of service (Eph. 4:18,19) to the body of Christ, the church.

To accomplish this sovereign purpose, the Spirit of God gives spiritual manifestations to men as He chooses (1 Cor. 12:7-11). These nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are not all of the grace gifts (charismata) seen in Scripture. But they are the ones which are specifically identified as being designed and distributed at the Spirit’s direction “for the profit of all” (v. 7, NKJV). They are not heightened natural abilities but a visible evidence and expression of the Spirit’s activity, as and to the degree He wills (vv. 4-6, 11).

In verses 8-10, three groups of three charismatic gifts each emerge:

1. Discerning gifts (gifts of revelation: the power to know what to do or to say)
2. Dynamic gifts (gifts of power: the power to do according to divine enablement)
3. Declarative gifts (gifts of inspired utterance: the power to speak publicly to minister edification, exhortation and comfort [14:3] to one another).

Gifts from the Godhead this Christmas

Perhaps we can use this review of gifts—from Father God, His Son, Jesus (the Jewish Messiah and our Savior), and the blessed Holy Spirit, who transforms us from who we were to who He has designed us to become—to stir our hearts this Christmas!

Instead of allowing Christmas to be commercialized in our hearts, let us determine to make it spiritualized. Let us remember that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning” (James 1:17, MEV).

These gifts from the godhead were summarized in the lyrics of this simple chorus from Pastor Jack Hayford: “Thank you, God, for sending Jesus/ Thank you, Jesus, that you came/ Holy Spirit, come and help us/ glorify the Savior’s name.”

Ordained to the ministry in 1969, Gary Curtis is a graduate of LIFE Bible College at Los Angeles (soon to become Life Pacific University at San Dimas, California). He has taken graduate courses at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois, and Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. Gary served as part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys, California, for 27 years (1988-2015); and served for the last 13 years as the vice president of Life on The Way Communications Inc., the church’s not-for-profit media outreach. Now retired, Gary and his wife have been married for 50 years and live in Southern California. They have two married daughters and five grandchildren.

Himself a Jewish believer, Rabbi Eric Tokajer says the Good News of Jesus is beginning to spread throughout Israel, and it’s important for Christians to continue to support that effort.

The founder of Brit Ahm Messianic Synagogue in Pensacola, Florida, and the publisher of The Messianic Times, Tokajer, who conducts tours in the Holy Land, says the growth of Messianic ministries in Israel proves God’s hand indeed is upon that land

“Years ago, when I became a Jewish believer, there were only a handful of Jewish believers in Israel,” Tokajer told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “Now there are thousands, probably somewhere around 10,000 that are Jewish believers born in Israel. There are others that came from outside that live there, but when I became a believer, there were almost none.

“Now, there are hundreds of groups that meet together around the land that are sharing the Good News, which is part of end-times prophecy being fulfilled as God is regrafting the natural branches into the olive tree.

“A lot of the Christian world never hears those stories. But if they go to Israel, they will actually see what’s happening where the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear and people are preached to in prison. The Jewish people are discovering the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of Yeshua. And by the power of God the Good News will continue to spread in Israel.”

For more about what’s going on Israel and Rabbi Eric Tokajer’s ministry, listen to this podcast.

Note: This is the second in a series of three articles. For part 1, click here.

John Wesley is one of my heroes of the faith. His 18th-century life affected the course of church history.

Along with his brother Charles, George Whitfield and others, he ignited a revival movement in London, England that later became the Methodist Church. His passion for Christ exploded during a meeting May 24, 1738, in Aldersgate, a district in London.

John had become desperate to know God intimately. He had observed the faith and zeal of Moravian Christians who were experiencing a powerful revival. That evening, he reluctantly attended the meeting at Aldersgate.

While listening to someone read Luther’s Preface to Romans, John states, “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” Fresh fire and passion ignited in John’s heart.

From that time forward, John was different—his preaching, his passion, and zeal for Christ were red hot. Many came to Christ through his life, and powerful manifestations of the Spirit were common in his meetings—including healing.

John had learned how to become a fire and he taught others how to maintain the fire of God in their lives. He taught his followers to be “disciplined” about spiritual matters and to seek God fervently. John knew as truth that there is a prescribed order to maintaining the fire of God in our lives as believers.

Is Jesus Your Passion?

In my last article, I said that each of us must pursue finding and knowing God. That is the starting place for maintaining the fire of God in your life.

Learning practical steps to living in ongoing encounter with God keeps your love for Jesus alive, fresh and fiery. Love is passionate and pursues God zealously.

Is Jesus your passion and desire? Do you love Him with every ounce of your heart? How desperate are you “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge?” (Eph. 3:19a). The fire of the Holy Spirit’s presence ignites in hearts that are surrendered and undivided to God. Anything less allows the embers of one’s heart to become cold and lukewarm.

Practical Principles to Maintaining the Fire of God in Your Life

1. Complete surrender. As I mentioned in my last article, the first and most important principle is total surrender to God. God will provide the fire; you must be positioned, surrendered and expectant as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1). Allow the Holy Spirit to lead, fill and empower you daily (Rom. 8:14). Stay humble. Stay surrendered. Live in his holiness. Holiness is Christ in you; but you must let holiness have its way! The fire of His holiness burns passionately in those whose hearts and lives stay surrendered to God.
2. Pray without Ceasing. The second principle to maintain God’s fire in your life is to pray without ceasing. Paul writes to the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17a). Prayer is communion with God and abiding in His presence. Prayer is more than just petitions. Prayer is also two-way dialogue with God. God has things He wants to communicate and reveal to you—beginning with how much He loves you. Prayer positions you to receive the Father’s love and embrace—your heart is then “strangely warmed.”

In fact, God promises to make prayer a delight and joy. The prophet Isaiah wrote,

“I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer … my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7 NLT).

While this was a promise to the children of Israel under a different covenant, the principle remains: God delights in drawing us near to Him and filling us full of joy as we pray and abide in His presence. The result: You continue in devoted relationship to God, others are impacted and people are drawn to Him. Prayer positions you in God’s presence to receive more from the Holy Spirit.

Regarding petitionary prayer, Jesus said in Luke 18:1 (NLT) that, “Men should always pray and never give up” or “lose heart” (NKJV). He concludes the parable of the persistent widow who found justice, by asking a rhetorical question, “So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? (Luke 18:7, NLT)

Jesus states clearly that not only will God answer, but also, He will answer quickly. Prayer keeps you focused on Almighty God—circumstances fade, and faith for answered prayer keeps you secure in His love. Prayer fuels the fire of passion, love and devotion to God in your life.

Learn to pray and worship “in the Spirit.” Paul makes it clear in his writings that the person who prays in an unknown tongue edifies himself or herself (1 Cor. 14:4). There is a spiritual self-edification and strengthening for the believer who chooses to pray privately in their prayer language. Tongues and the gifts of the Spirit have not ceased with the completion of the Bible and should be desired by believers (1 Cor. 12:7-11).

I frequently pray in the Spirit to “fan into flame” the Holy Spirit’s presence and gifts of God. Jude 20-21 (MEV) says, “But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God while you are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life.”

Praying in tongues, or in the Spirit, edifies and builds you personally and helps you remain aware of God’s love and presence.

3. Worship with passion. The third principle to maintain God’s fire in your life is to worship with passion.

“Come before His presence with singing … enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Ps. 100:2b, 4).

The book of Psalms was a songbook of praise and worship to God. Praise and worship should declare, as the book of Psalms illustrates, the splendor, majesty, goodness and power of God. Worship lifts you into revelation and encounter with God—suddenly life’s distractions fade, and the brilliance of God’s greatness shines through.

David’s tabernacle consisted of Levites to worship the Lord day and night,

…four thousand praised the Lord with musical instruments … to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening” (1 Chr. 23:5b, 30, NKJV).

The early church records how significant worship is, “so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name” (Acts 15:17). When worship is a central component in your life and in the life of the church, God’s Spirit moves, miracles flow and multitudes come into God’s kingdom. God looks for true worshippers in this hour who seek Him above everything else (John 4:23).

Worship is essential to maintain the fire of God in your life. Worship changes the atmosphere. Worship releases God’s glory and power to work wonders in your midst. Worship is not something you do before the teaching on a Sunday morning; rather, worship is the essence of your relationship with God. Your life is worship to God, and each day, worship should flow through you back to the Lord.

Paul tells the Ephesian church,

“be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts” (Eph. 5:18b-19, NLT)

To be filled with more of the Spirit is to maintain a heart of thanksgiving and worship to God. Worship with songs that declare the truth of Scripture and of God’s kingdom; your worship then becomes like prayer. Worship with prayerful intent; this helps stir the fire in your heart by the Spirit for God and His purposes.

In the book of Revelation, we see a picture of worship,

“four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp (worship) and golden bowls (prayer) full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8, MEV).

Prayer and worship intertwine as incense toward heaven. Incense requires fire to burn. The fire comes from the Holy Spirit to live surrendered to God in worship and prayer.

I have discovered personally that when I begin my day with worship and prayer to God, the fire of His presence rekindles fresh. The coals of my heart begin to burn bright as the Spirit fans into flame my love for God as I choose to worship. Sometimes I must offer a sacrifice of praise. My flesh may not feel like worshipping God, but my spirit longs to draw near to Him once again. I choose then to push past my carnal nature and draw near to God. Sometimes, those are the days that His presence is the strongest and sweetest.

I will conclude “Maintaining the Fire of God” later this week. Until then, I pray you encounter God afresh this week and that the fire of His presence takes you into new understanding of the depths of His love for you.

Remember, the fire of the Holy Spirit’s presence ignites in hearts that are surrendered and undivided to God. Anything less allows the embers of one’s heart to become cold and lukewarm. Draw near to him today. {eoa}

Bob Sawvelle is the founding and senior leader of Passion Church in Tucson, Arizona. Passion Church is a vibrant, kingdom-minded church in the heart of Tucson that values God’s love and presence. He is a Doctor of Ministry mentor for the Randy Clark Scholars cohort at United Theological Seminary (UTS), an adjunct professor teaching master’s level classes in evangelism, discipleship and church planting with the Global Awakening Theological Seminary (GATS) and an online course facilitator for Global Awakening’s Christian Healing Certification Program (CHCP) and Christian Prophetic Certification Program (CPCP).

Note: This is the first of a three-part series.

For the Christian, our first love is Jesus. When He is our first love, we influence the world around us. When you return to “first love,” God quickly honors your fresh commitment to Him.

You are responsible to pursue and walk with God—no one else can do this for you. But you must be intentional about your pursuit and relationship with God to keep your love for Jesus alive, fresh and fiery. True love is passionate—it is an unquenchable fire.

God’s love for you will never extinguish. However, you can quench the fiery presence of God and His love in your life. Your ability to maintain the fire of God’s love and presence in your life is vital. Your passion and intimacy with God are not automatic; you have a part to play in the process. His grace enables you to maintain the fire of his love and presence in your life.

The apostle Paul said to Timothy,

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Tim. 1:6, NLT).

The pursuit of God’s presence positions you to fan into flames God’s passion and spiritual gifts.

John Wesley, a founder of the Methodist Church, instructed his disciples, “I remind thee of stirring up—literally, blowing up the coals into a flame—the gift of God—all the spiritual gifts, which the grace of God has given thee.” Wesley stated we have a part to play in maintaining the fire of God in our lives. The Holy Spirit ignites the flame at new birth; we must follow Jesus faithfully and allow the Spirit to burn bright within us.

The apostle Paul and John Wesley knew that it was not enough to have gifts imparted. The recipient had a responsibility to steward the presence of God, the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.

Hot Fires Need Hot Coals

As a boy, I loved camping. Now that I am older, I prefer a nice hotel room, but I still enjoy getting out in nature and recharging on a nice walk or hike. Building campfires was one of my favorite tasks when camping—especially as a Boy Scout. Who doesn’t love a roaring campfire!

Our Scout leader decided one year to take us on a winter camping trip. We lived in Ohio, and winters there can be unpredictable and extremely cold at times. We arrived at the campsite on a mild winter afternoon with just a few patches of snow on the ground. We had three-sided lean-to structures furnished with cots to sleep in—I thought to myself, “This should be fun and easy.” All of us settled in and then proceeded to gather firewood for a campfire.

Before long, we had a roaring fire with a deep bed of hot coals that warmed us in the winter night air. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows—all was well—we were “happy campers!” We went to bed excited about hiking the next day. Little did we know that a cold front and winter storm were approaching.

In the middle of the night, the wind started to howl, the temperature dropped drastically and the snow began to fall. The others and I in my lean-to woke up freezing—we put on every bit of clothes we had and crawled back into our sleeping bags and tried to sleep. When we got up the next morning, we discovered that a fresh blanket of snow had fallen. It was beautiful, but bitterly cold.

My lean-to was the first to wake, and we decided to restart the campfire as a priority. Normally, the next day after a roaring campfire, there would be some hot, or at least warm, coals that available to restart a fire. But everything was covered in snow and frozen. Our hands were freezing, and it was impossible to start a fire. It was not until the Scout leader came out of his lean-to and started a propane stove that we had fire to make hot food. But, had some of us stayed awake thru the night, placing fresh wood on the fire, we would have had a hot fire in the morning.

Here’s the lesson: It’s easier to keep a fire going by attending to it continuously. You must maintain your first love with Christ to keep God’s fire burning in your life!

Maintaining the Fire

The Israelites were instructed in Leviticus to maintain the fire on the altar,

“The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the burnt offering on it… Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out” (Lev. 6:12-13, NLT).

God prescribed an order of worship to Moses and the Israelites that required their participation. They had to bring and offer a sacrifice, a first-born male of the herd or flock. The blood and animal parts were offered upon the altar as a sacrifice to God. Even the fire on the altar had to be placed in order and maintained. To have a hot fire, you need hot coals—you must be intentional.

The Levitical worship was a type and shadow of the sacrifice to come with Jesus, the lamb slain before the foundation of time for humanity. Jesus, the perfect and spotless one, offered willingly for you and me. The Holy Spirit, given through His sacrifice, provides us fellowship with God and enables us to carry the fire of his love. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matt. 3:11b, NKJV).

With the New Covenant, sealed in the very blood of Christ, we have union with God and unhindered access to His presence by Holy Spirit. However, like the Israelites of old and their free-will sacrifice, you must offer your life willingly upon the altar of God’s love and fiery presence. This invitation is open to everyone, beginning with salvation and walking in His kingdom power.

Practical Steps to Maintaining the Fire of God in Your Life

Complete Surrender

Paul gives an important first step for maintaining God’s fire in your life—it is complete surrender.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom. 12:1-2, NLT).

Notice how Paul uses language similar to the instructions given the Israelites for their worship? In fact, Paul is pleading with the reader to “give your bodies to God.” No different from an Israelite intentionally giving a pure and spotless sacrifice from the flock or herd. God will not force your sacrifice—you must offer it freely.

Your surrender to Christ as a living sacrifice is voluntary, and your life becomes a pleasant aroma before Him. You present your body as living and holy. When the Levites brought the sacrifice near, they had to wash the organs and limbs with water (Lev. 1:9). Through Christ, the Spirit and His Word, you have been washed clean—so live holy (1 Cor. 1:30). Choosing to live surrendered is the first and most vital step to maintaining the fire of God’s love in your life.

You must pursue finding and knowing God. Living in ongoing encounter with Him keeps your love for God alive, fresh and fiery. Love is passionate and pursues God zealously.

Surrender and yield your emotions to God. Do not let your emotions dictate your life; rather, allow your mind and emotions to be transformed to think and act like heaven. Character is key, but so is a supernatural worldview—this only comes as you allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.

In Leviticus 9, as Moses and Aaron entered the tabernacle, God’s glory appeared, and fire came forth from God’s presence to consume the sacrifice (Lev. 9:23-24). Fire fell as they stayed surrendered, humble and obedient to God. They worshipped in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23).

How can you maintain the fire of God’s presence? Ongoing encounters through a surrendered life—there is no substitute.

God will provide the fire; you must be positioned, surrendered and expectant as a living sacrifice. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead, fill and empower you daily (Rom. 8:14). Stay humble. Stay surrendered. Live in his holiness. Holiness is Christ in you; but you must let holiness have its way! The fire of His holiness burns passionately in those whose hearts and lives stay surrendered to God.

Next, I will look at other practical principles to maintaining the fire of God’s presence in your life. Surrender is the foundation; all other Christian disciplines build upon the truth and necessity of complete surrender to God. Draw near to Him today, and let the fire of His love ignite a flame of passion within you to impact your world!

Bob Sawvelle is the founding and senior leader of Passion Church in Tucson, Arizona. Passion Church is a vibrant, kingdom-minded church in the heart of Tucson that values God’s love and presence. He is a Doctor of Ministry doctoral mentor for the Randy Clark Scholars cohort at United Theological Seminary (UTS), an adjunct professor teaching master’s-level classes in evangelism, discipleship and church planting with the Global Awakening Theological Seminary (GATS) and an online course facilitator for Global Awakening’s Christian Healing Certification Program (CHCP) and Christian Prophetic Certification Program (CPCP).

You will receive many words over the next several weeks as 2020 begins to close in on us. One word that I feel the Lord saying is: “This is the Year of (spell it) V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!” All the things that you have been believing for are about to manifest.

For the Lord says, “My time is now. I am ready to act. I speak over you:

—No more hold-ups!

—No more cancellations!

—No more setbacks!

—No more delays!

—No more distractions!

I want My children to realize at this moment that it is a now season, because now faith will be needed in this hour! ‘Now faith’ requires that you walk in expectant faith at every moment of every day.

Do not doubt My Word and promises any longer. In this new decade, beginning in 2020, you will experience V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! Yes, victory on every level.”

Here is an acronym of this word that the Holy Spirit has given me for you today:

V: Validation

“There are no ifs, ands or buts about it anymore,” says the Lord. “You belong to Me. Your enemy (the accuser of the brethren) wants you to doubt everything that I have said to you and everything I have done in your life.

“I would say that, in this time, I’m going to bring to light all My promises and shine right in the face of your enemies. Even he will see My goodness in the land where you are living!

“As a matter of fact, I am putting My seal upon you. No foe can withstand My validation. All of hell will have to recognize My power, authority and rank with which I have validated you! You will walk in a supernatural unction never realized before. Even you will not believe what I am doing through and in you, before your very eyes,” says the Lord of Hosts!

I: Increase Is Coming

The Lord says:

“It’s not just regular, everyday, run-of-the-mill increase, but extraordinary increase! It’s the kind of increase that Isaac received—the kind that made his neighbors envy him.

“In My Word [Gen. 26:12], I recorded where ‘Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; the Lord blessed him.’ He became a very rich man and his wealth continued to grow. He had so many flocks, herds and servants that even the Philistines envied him.

“Are you ready for that kind of increase on your life? Are you ready for the kind of increase where you are almost ashamed to tell what I have done that particular day because it’s so much? You are going to increase so much that the world will shake their head and say, ‘How can it be?’ And when they do, your answer will be, ‘It is by the strong hand of the Lord that this work has been wrought!'”

C: Catapulting

The Lord says:

“This is a very rare word that is not used so much in this day that you live in, but I am bringing it back. To get the full meaning of My Word over you, examine the definition from the world’s perspective.”

“To catapult” means:

—To launch.

—A slingshot.

—To bring suddenly into prominence.

—To jump or to spring.

—To throw violently.

This word is even used as a device that launches aircraft from a warship.

The Lord says:

“This is the season in which your head will spin with what I am about to catapult you into. Your head will spin with where I am about to catapult you to. My servant Amos describes it perfectly, saying:

“‘Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.’ God’s decree [is]: “Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing right on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once and everywhere you look, blessings!”‘ (Amos 9:13-15, MSG).

“So, get ready to mount up with wings as the eagles. Get ready to soar as I catapult you through every open door before the return of your great God and Savior, Me!”

T: Taking Territory

“This has always been on My mind. Ever since the beginning of time, in the garden with Adam and Eve, My first commandment was, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it’ [Gen. 1:28].

“Territory has always been—and always will be—on the mind of your foe, Satan. He has been a thief, murderer, liar and destroyer ever since I discovered iniquity that was found in him.

“However, this brand-new decade will bring about a determination and grit inside of you. You will have the determination and grit to no longer stand on the outside of your dream and purpose, looking in. Instead, in this year of 2020 and beyond, you will seize territory with every step you take.”

The Lord, your fighter, says:

“Every step is strategic in this season. As I told My servant Moses, and later told Joshua as well, ‘The Lord will drive out all the nations ahead of you, though they are much greater and stronger than you. You will take over their land. Every place upon which you set your foot will be yours. I will give you every place upon which you set your foot, as I promised Moses.'”

The Lord says, “This territory will bring you into new places and new opportunities. I will give you the key of David. I will open doors that no man can shut and shut doors that no man can open.

“Do you see it? Can’t you envision my plan for you?

—You will take territory.

—You will take the territory of your house.

—You will take the territory of your family, marriage and children.

—You will take the territory of starting your own business and going into entrepreneurship for the kingdom.

—You will take your health back in the name of the Lord.

—Your mind is lining up with the living Word of God.

—You are stepping out to take land, properties and opportunities only dreamed of before.”

O: Opportunity

“Opportunity is the key word that is exploding in this season of your life, and on My calendar of events. My people have been held up and held back, and now is the time to believe for all that I have promised.

“2020 will see opportunities and doors that you can only imagine and dream about. I am the God of ‘exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or imagine.’ It is the time to prove Me and ask Me for anything!

“When you call Me, I will answer even before you call.

“While you are still speaking, I will hear you! You have been wondering, ‘When will my time come? How can I get ahead with the calling on my life?’ Yet I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and give you a hope and a future.

“There is not only coming a door of opportunity, but multiple doors of opportunities. Promotion, possibilities, favor, promise, advancement and success are all around you. Look for them; and when you see them, seize them!”

R: Restoration

“Restoration is a part of My covenant with you, My child. My promise is that ‘I will compensate you for the years the locusts have eaten—the larval locust, the hopper locust, and the fledging locust’ [Joel 2:25]. My promise covenant is that ‘You will eat abundantly and be satisfied, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; and My people will never again be shamed’ [v. 26].

“Get ready to see an overflow of things that will come back to you that you thought were lost.”

For the Lord of restoration says, “I am not just putting you back to your original place. I am placing you in a position where your enemy will regret that he ever stole from you because of the bounty of the harvest that is coming!”

Y: Yearning

“I desire for all My children to yearn for and desire My presence. It is My presence that will carry you, giving you My peace and love, in this culture of yearning for everything but Me.

“The intensity of My overpowering tenderness that is prevalent during this time will carry you to a place in which My overshadowing hunger will consume you. The yearning that will overwhelm you at this time will bring a strong desire for the enjoyment and pleasure that are found in My presence.

“I am giving you a great and strong desire to be with Me in this season.

“My presence is the only thing that will bring you both true meaning and a craving for Me. I have promised, ‘Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you’ [James 4:8]. I am ready to show you My miracles, signs and wonders that are getting ready to explode on this Earth. My dunamis power is getting ready to go off in your very spirit-being, lighting up this dark world for My glory!

“V-I-C-T-O-R-Y is promised, and is therefore sure and absolute!

“Victory in this new decade will look like and be bigger, greater and more attainable than any other season of your life. This is My promise! This is My guarantee! This is your destiny! Take it! Believe it! Expect it!”

Wow! I receive that word from the Lord; don’t you? {eoa}

Judy Jacobs is internationally known for her declarative worship and powerful message of the gospel. She has ministered personally in over 50 countries, and has also ministered through several TV networks such as TBN, Inspiration Network and Daystar. She has also been honored to minister and be involved with T.D. Jakes and The Potter’s House, and many crusades. Pastor Judy serves as the co-pastor of Dwelling Place Church International. She is also the director of the International Institute of Mentoring and has published five books and eight solo albums. She is married to Pastor Jamie Tuttle, and together they have two daughters.

When you become part of the body of Christ, prophetic minister Kim Maas says, you also become part of the prophetic community. But, Maas says, like many believers, your prophetic gift will not grow unless you use it.

Mentored by prophets such as Cindy Jacobs, Randy Clark and Roland Baker, Maas discovered there are four practices believers can execute to initiate and grow in the prophetic gift that God has freely given them.

“One thing that’s a must is you have to read your Bible,” Maas told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “One of the ways we test a word of knowledge always is by Scripture. Words need to line up with Scripture. When He speaks to you, you already have a sense of whether this is really from the Lord because you already know it lines up with Scripture.

“The second thing is that, every chance you get, practice the gift of prophecy. There are several ways to practice, and one is to journal every day. Get up in the morning, have your time with the Lord, and then get out your journal and ask God simple questions like, ‘What’s going to happen today?’ ‘Who’s going to call me?’ ‘What are people going to need from me today?’

“Yet another easy way is what I call prophetic gifting. All the people in your life who have birthdays and anniversaries, send them a prophetic card. Give them a prophetic word. Ask the Lord to give you a Scripture, ask Him to give you a word about their futures, something that will encourage them and write it in a card or buy a gift that represents what you said in the card. It’s a symbolic element.

“Then lastly, think about all the places you go on a regular basis, not just church. When you’re going to go someplace during the day, ask the Lord to make you sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and then be aware if you have something for that person. Pay attention to people who walk by and then God will highlight someone for you. The Holy Spirit will lead you from there.”

For more of Maas’ prophetic ministry and how you can grow in your prophetic gift, listen to this podcast.

I was in prayer and the Lord spoke to me that this coming year, 2020, will be the start of a new year and decade where our prophetic decrees will move impossible situations out of our way. The impossibility will become a possibility in the life of God’s people.

The Lord showed me in a vision some demonic oppositions that looked like mountains towering over the people of God. These rigged mountains were standing between their breakthrough and prayers being answered.

This is the season to activate the Word of God over your life and see mountains move at your command. The Lord wants you to look your problems, circumstances, situations and issues in the face and command them in Jesus’ name to be removed. The year 2020 will be the season, time and beginning of a new decade that the Lord’s decrees will prevail against every obstacle, storm and challenges you will face. It’s time to speak to your mountains.

Always keep in mind that we all are fighting the same ancient archrival—the devil! However, each of our battles is not the same. Turn your opposition (mountains) into opportunities (water) of blessings. Furthermore, we may get the same opportunities, but our opposition is not the same. You have to look your opposition in the eyes and command it to obey the Word of the Lord.

Again, its time to speak to your mountains and they have to obey you in the authority that God has given you through the Holy Spirit. Someone may ask or say, “speak to my mountains.” That sounds a little crazy, insane or off. It could be said like this for those who need help in understanding this allegorical biblical language.

There is a hallmark Scripture I live by in Mark 11:23-25: “For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them.”

Jesus talked to things, and taught that “whoever” could also speak to mountains. A mountain is primarily any obstacle that stands in the way of the believer. You cannot see mountains flatten or become valleys in your life if you pray, speak and decree with doubt or unbelief in your heart. We have to speak and decree with faith. Faith activates the supernatural to happen! Faith has to match your lips and your belief system! Jesus is basically saying, do less praying for mountains to move and start commanding them to.

We will be faced with many obstacles throughout our Christian journey. Most Christian believers oftentimes pray to Lord. However, Jesus commanded His disciples to speak directly to the obstacle by commanding it to be removed. There is nothing wrong with discussing things with God in your prayer time. We should as children of God. But when something is blocking your progress, advancement, breakthrough and blessings then Jesus said you should command (decree) it to get out of the way.

I love what Job 22:28 declares: “You will also declare a matter, and it will be established unto you; and the light will shine upon your ways. “ By use of the word “will,” this verse is actually commanding us to decree. It also comes with a promise that when we do, those things “will” be established for us. What mountain or demonic force, resistance and hindrance that is standing or hanging in the balance of you receiving your breakthrough? It’s time to unblock your blessings today by speaking the decrees of the Lord over your life and those you love.

Most believers just speak to God about the mountains they are facing daily, instead of following Jesus’ directions and speaking directly to the mountain. Your mountains have ears and they will respond if you speak to them. Are you just speaking to the Lord concerning the day-to-day problems that occur in your life? In the power and authority that have been invested in you by the Holy Spirit it is time to command the devil in Jesus’ name to get lost once and for all. God is radically increasing our faith to speak to the impossible and make it possible for us.

We oftentimes are waiting for God to do it for us; however, He put it in your mouth. “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. So if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have whatever we asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).

You are armed and dangerous against the kingdom of darkness. Every demonic agenda, plot and plan of the enemy against your life, family, ministry, business, marriage, church, finances and health will fall to nothing and ruins. God is raising up righteous “mountaineers” who know how to become the place where God’s presence dwells and live. You are an “unshakeable” mountain that God wants to use to speak, pray and decree His will to come to pass in your life.

“For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling: ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have chosen it'” (Ps. 132:13-14).

Mount Zion symbolizes the place where God lives, not just visits. He wants you to become a place where He may inhabit. Psalm 22:3 (NKJV) put it like this: “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” We crown Him (Christ) our King with our mouths through our praises. Your mouth is a secret weapon against the enemy. Know your authority in Christ to decree and speak the will of God over everything God has put you in charge or authority over. The enemy is trying to shake the faith of God’s people with fear. Fight back by speaking faith today to see mountains moved immediately! However, Jesus addressed the faith of those who doubted.

In Matthew 17:20 (MEV), it says, “Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. And nothing will be impossible for you.'”

“Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. For the uncircumcised and the unclean will no longer enter you. Shake yourself from the dust; arise, O captive Jerusalem. Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion” (Isa. 52:1-2).

Decree God’s will in this New Year, 2020, and watch and see your mountains flatten and the impossible obey the voice of the Lord on the inside of you. {eoa}

Dr. Hakeem Collins is an empowerment specialist, respected prophetic voice, apostolic leader, governmental minister, life coach and sought-after conference speaker. He is known for his keen, accurate prophetic gifting and supernatural ministry. He is the author of the bestselling books Heaven Declares and Command Your Healing. He’s been featured on many television shows: Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural! The Word Network, GODTV and Cornerstone TV, just to name a few. He is host of Prophetic Breakthrough podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network. Follow him on Facebook at and on his website, .

Rick Richardson, director of the Billy Graham Center, says many believers have bought into a handful of myths, and that is helping to stifle the spread of the gospel in our culture these days.

The author of the book You Found Me, Richardson says new research indicates Millennials and “nones” are surprisingly open to the Christian faith, but the lies Christians have subscribed to are helping to kill the effectiveness of the church.

“The first myth is that America has become a nation of non-Christians, ‘nones,’ and people who might even be considered anti-Christian, that we’re losing our voice and influence,” Richardson told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “What I’ve discovered in my research is that isn’t true.

“The second big myth is that Millennials are now leaving the church a very high rate, that we’ve lost the youth of the nation and we’re not going to get them back. The church is irrelevant in their eyes. I wanted to get underneath that mess. Third, authors have been saying that the church is going to be dead in a generation. It isn’t going to survive.

“The last myth is just that people don’t trust the church anymore, whether it’s in politics or in the area of sex abuse scandals, intolerance and rejection of people. We have come to the conclusion that people don’t trust us anymore. The end result of all this is we have become less motivated to share our faith because we believe in our hearts that people don’t want to hear it.

“What I discovered is that people are much more receptive to the Christian faith and to the gospel than we have ever thought possible. That’s why I want to see pastors, leaders and congregation members all across the country start to get more hopeful and start to care more. Then, people will respond.”

For more of Rick Richardson’s research, listen to this podcast.

As a military and a veteran of the Iraqi Conflict, Jay Swartz knows all about not only serving his country, but also serving his fellow soldiers. His wife, Brenda, also served her Army community as a youth minister.

The couple founded Warrior Family Ministries with a desire to assist veterans and their families in understanding the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, and to help keep the family unit together. The ministry has become so much more, and now also extends to first responders and their families, and others.

For Brenda Swartz, it’s all about the godly mandate to help others in need, especially in a culture where helping your fellow man isn’t so much of a priority as it was in years past. The Swartzs want to bring back that community atmosphere.

“The first thing that we ask as chaplains is, ‘How can I serve you?'” Jay told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “Community might not look the way it did when perhaps some of us were growing up, but I know that people still want that sense of community. And so, we have to be creative about joining together in communities.”

Enter Warrior Family Ministries, which helps train chaplains—an elite army—to minister outside the four walls of the church. These chaplains are trained to help people through trauma and grief, and are trained in areas such as suicide prevention and awareness.

“Everybody has to have someone to talk to,” Brenda Swartz said. “We deal with people in crisis and trauma 99% of the time, and there is a great need for this army of chaplains. So, we invite you to come join the army of chaplains we’re building to serve those in need.”

For more about Warrior Family Ministries, listen to this podcast. And check out the Warrior Family Ministries podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network. {eoa}

For many decades, Bishop Bill Hamon has adhered to the kingdom calling God laid before him, and the results have been tangible. As a discipleship trainer and the father of the prophetic movement, Hamon has seen multitudes come to salvation through his ministry.

But Hamon says that’s never been his highest calling, and it’s not the highest calling for any one of God’s precious children. There is a greater purpose.

“My highest (kingdom) priority is to be conformed to the image and the likeness of Jesus Christ,” Hamon told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “Most people understand Romans 8:28-29, when Paul talks about the life experience he went through and the spirit of wisdom [and] revelation [see Eph. 1:17]. He learned that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

“Then he says the purpose is for whom He did foreknow, He also predestined to be conformed to the image and likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ, that Jesus might be the firstborn among many, like a whole family. In other words, a race of beings in the likeness and image of Jesus Christ.

“And really, that’s what God started out with. In the beginning, God created man, placed him on planet Earth and gave Adam and Eve power to recreate other human beings in His image and likeness. He gave them the wisdom and grace to train them up and raise them in His character, His attitude and His wisdom.”

Hamon says salvation is only the beginning. The rest is a process.

“When we get saved and our past sins are forgiven, we’re babes, and we must learn,” Hamon says. “We have to learn to be like God and act like Jesus in every way. We can be transformed, and the process of conformity that God set up will bring us from glory to glory.”

For more of Bill Hamon’s thoughts on our highest calling, listen to this podcast.