The story of Cane Ridge is one that seems too spectacular to be true. Had it not been for the many eyewitnesses who recorded the event in great detail, it might be easy to dismiss it as a tall tale. There is no denying that something supernatural took place in the cane fields of Kentucky. The camp meeting shook several denominations, including the Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists.

This revival ignited a fire that swept through the Western frontier like a wildfire through dry bush. It set the stage for America’s next great awakening. Barton Stone testified, “To give a true description of this meeting cannot be done; it would border on the marvelous. Many, very many, will through eternity remember it with thanksgiving and praise.”

The story of the Cane Ridge revival is one that stirs something deep within the spirit. Every year thousands of people still make the trek to Cane Ridge, Kentucky, to visit that old log cabin meeting house. They go to learn about and to remember this remarkable move of God. Some go in hopes of capturing a burning ember of that ancient fire. All leave with the same prayer resounding in their hearts, “Lord, do it again, like Cane Ridge!”

Oh, that God would do it again and do it like Cane Ridge! Oh, that He might visit this land with such a move of His Spirit that is so awesome it shakes sinners and stirs saints! Barton Stone described the nation before Cane Ridge like this: “So low had religion sunk, and such carelessness universally had prevailed, that I have thought that nothing common could have arrested the attention of the world.” Revival came as a much-needed answer from heaven.

We find our nation in this place once again. The faith of many has sunk low, and worldliness has invaded not only the land but the church as well. America once again needs something uncommon to burn through the dry brush. We desperately need revival.

The psalmist Asaph wrote, “I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will meditate also on all Your work and ponder on Your mighty deeds” (Ps. 77:11–12, MEV). There is great benefit in looking back at the stories of the past to be encouraged by all God has done. Especially in times of great darkness or spiritual drought, these stories remind us that we’ve been here before, and when we finally turn back to God, He always revives.

In this passage from Psalm 77, the psalmist was recalling the marvelous wonders God performed in the desert. God met with His people in the wilderness with fire, smoke, thunder, and lightning (Exod. 19:16–18). Time and time again God delivered Israel from the hands of the enemy and miraculously provided for them in a desert wasteland. Asaph saw the wisdom of looking back and remembering the past moves of God. Asaph was King David’s chief musician. Stop and think about that for a moment. Asaph was David’s worship leader.

David was a celebrated musician himself, a man after God’s own heart, the one from whose bloodline the Messiah would come. What kind of man would David choose to be his chief musician, the one responsible for leading continual worship before the Lord? For Asaph to have been in that role, he undoubtedly was a man who carried the heart of two kings—a natural one and an eternal one.

History tells us that Asaph was there the day the ark of the covenant was brought back into Jerusalem. It had remained outside the city for years. David jealously longed for the day it would be returned. Finally that day arrived, and with it came celebration and national revival. This was the day Asaph was appointed to lead worship continually before the ark (1 Chron. 15:16–17). What a powerful moment this must have been for Asaph!

However, over time something changed. Asaph found himself in great distress. From the very depths of his soul he said, “I cried out to God with my voice, even to God with my voice; and He listened to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out and does not weary, my soul refuses to be comforted” (Ps. 77:1–2).

It is not entirely clear exactly what Asaph was lamenting about. However, his words let us know he was experiencing a time of great affliction, and he could find no relief by day or rest at night. He cried out to the Lord, and it appeared as if God had not answered. Asaph inquires, “Will the Lord cast off forever, and will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever, and have His promises failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious, and has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (Ps. 77:7–9).

Of course, the answer to these questions is a resounding, “No!” Asaph knew this truth well. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder why the answer tarried. Asaph’s affliction brought the man of God to his knees. When in great distress, he had no choice but to call upon the Lord for an answer.

If revival tarries, it is because we have been reluctant to tarry before the Lord. It is true that as long as we remain content to live without revival, we will continue to remain without revival. However, I believe that in this day God is beginning to unsettle some Asaphs. The rebellion of the land is producing a great affliction within our souls, and with each passing day we are growing more and more distressed.

This divine affliction is bringing us, as lovers of God, to our knees to cry out, “Lord, do it again!”

The preceding was excerpted from Daniel Norris’ book, Trail of Fire (Charisma House, 2016). You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Daniel K. Norris, the founder and head of Daniel K. Norris Ministries, served alongside evangelist Steve Hill for more than a decade. Today, Daniel continues on in the footsteps of his mentor, bringing that same message of revival and repentance to the nations.

How often has God stood by ready, willing and able to help us, but we never turned to Him or gave Him an opportunity to intervene and bring glory to Himself through our crisis?

As a result, we have often forfeited peace and struggled under the load of unnecessary burdens—all because we did not inquire of the Lord. What’s worse, an opportunity to bring glory to God was lost. 

What is so amazing is that Asa makes the same mistake twice in 2 Chronicles: “In the thirty-ninth year of the reign of Asa, he had a sickness in his feet until his sickness became grave. Even in his disease he did not seek after the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa slept with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign. (2 Chron. 16:12–13, MEV).

The author is trying, through this story, to communicate a moral  that is of utmost importance. Earlier, Asa called upon the help of foreign armies instead of the Lord, and as a result, he inherited perpetual war. Then he called on the aid of doctors instead of the Lord when he became sick, and as a result, he inherited death. God wanted to help Asa. God wanted to deliver him from his enemies. God wanted to heal him from his diseases. But for some strange reason, like so many of us, Asa ignored God in the issues that mattered most, and as a result, he sealed his own fate. 

The final verse of the chapter sums Asa’s life up with an almost contemptuous caption: “And they buried him in the tomb that he cut for himself … “ (2 Chron. 16:14).

In essence, Asa dug his own grave and put the final nail in his own coffin because he insisted on calling upon the arm of flesh rather than on the Lord. God was insulted by Asa’s disregard and gave him over to that which he feared most. Jeremiah 17:5 says, “Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart departs from the Lord.”

If you are seeking God’s will for your life, it means that you are actively praying about it, waiting before the Lord and listening for His direction. Perhaps you have not heard an answer because you haven’t asked the question. Perhaps you have asked, but you haven’t been listening.

Maybe it’s time to turn off the television, put away the video games, and spend some time on your knees before the Lord, reading His Word and listening to His voice. His promise is, “You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). {eoa}

Daniel Kolenda is a missionary evangelist who has led more than 10 million people to Christ face to face through massive, open-air evangelistic campaigns in some of the most dangerous, difficult and remote locations on Earth. He is president and CEO of Christ for All Nations and hosts an internationally syndicated television program.

We live in a world desperate to develop new and viable sources of energy that power us cleanly and efficiently. In the same way, our emotions drive us in the things we do fueling our motivations. Can we use those emotions wisely, such as dealing with anger, so that we maximize the output to our highest potential? Yes.

Anger is a very powerful emotion. American business icon Lee Iacocca said of anger, “In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.”

Anger is a potent tool. It has the power to destroy, but also the power to achieve great things when channeled correctly. How each man responds to anger determines which will happen. Mark Twain, a master of spinning the negative into something useful, said, “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”

Let’s take a look at how we can transform anger into good energy and positive results, and apply that to our relationships, careers and parenting.

1. Self-analysis –The first step to any transformation is a hard look in the mirror. Why am I so frustrated? Where is this deep anger coming from? Often, frustration is born from expectations not being met that boils over into anger. We expected marriage to look different. We didn’t think ahead about how difficult it is to raise a small child. Our career isn’t what we dreamed. So we lash out with anger against those upon which we depend, creating more hardship. We need to pinpoint the cause of our anger to begin learning how to control it.

It is necessary to isolate the root, and then we can begin applying the cure.

2. Reconciliation and personal responsibility. Here is the key to defeating destructive anger and turning it into a positive: Take ownership of the root cause and reconcile with it. When we do that, anger turns into deep experience and experience brings wisdom. Once anger has transformed into wisdom, our marriages, parenting, careers and personal lives all benefit greatly. Not only that, it is a godly teaching tool for our children. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath” (MEV).

The root of my anger was my mother’s alcoholism. From there, it spread like a burning wildfire across my life. When I stopped using it as my excuse, and instead took responsibility for my own actions, I became a better man, father and husband.

I reconciled my anger with her and gave forgiveness, gaining invaluable experience and personal peace. Though innocent in the root, innocence was lost in the aftermath of my resulting actions. Forgiveness, partnered with personal responsibility, returned control and stability in the proper efficient balance.

3. Having the courage to change – Stop placing focus on what went wrong and open your eyes to what has gone right. When I was 22 years old, my dream was to be a world famous musician. I saw myself on tour buses and private jets traveling the world. At that point, the longest I ever dated a girl was 2 weeks. My dreams were far away from reality. By 32, my first daughter was being born. I was married to this great woman who worked in insurance. I owned a house in the suburbs. I worked a 40-hour week for decent pay. Music had become a hobby.

Fast-forward another decade and I have two teenage kids, the same awesome wife, and I live in another state. Now I’m a writer. My life is fulfilling and good. How did that happen? My anger wanted to escape, and my dreams were of life with no consequences or responsibility. Gaining control of my anger, and transforming it, allowed me to find my true place in life and to flourish. Have the courage to embrace the change in plans. We win by conquering the battle of our emotions. {eoa}

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Let me say this … you can begin now to start activating the prophetic streams from within your belly, coming out of dormancy into the front line of what God is doing in the earth today. You can move from pathetic to prophetic and declare a new sound in this generation.

But it starts within your belly and mouth.

To activate something is to start it off, trigger it or set it in motion. Prophetic activations are spiritual exercises that use words, actions, phrases, objects, Scripture verses, worship songs and dance, prophetic prayers and more to trigger the prophetic gifts. Activations help believers in every area of life and ministry to flow freely as they are commissioned to release God’s Word in the earth. They set in motion prophetic utterances, songs and movement that bring great blessing to the members of local churches, ministries and the world.

Activations are designed to break down the barriers of fear, doubt, timidity and ignorance that hinder and prevent people from operating in prophecy. They also provide people with an opportunity to minister—some for the first time—in a safe and loving environment.

Activations rekindle and fan the flame of ministries that have become stagnant in the prophetic flow. We all need times of rekindling and reignition. Prophetic activations will reignite believers and churches to prophesy.

Motionless churches need to be set in motion. Prophetic activations can get us moving again.

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands” (2 Tim. 1:6, MEV).

I was exposed to prophetic activations in 1989 through the ministry of Drs. Buddy and Mary Crum of Life Center Ministries. I invited them to our church. They activated, trained, confirmed and launched us in prophetic gifts and ministry. Since then I have seen the growth of our prophetic groups and teams over the years. However, there have been times when we have become stagnant, and we have had to break through into another level. But we knew how to use the activations to stir up our gifts and bring revival when needed.

Now I travel all over the world—alone or with my prophetic team—activating believers in prophetic ministry. Some of those who are in prophetic ministry at my church have become so strong in the prophetic anointing that they have launched their own international ministries. They too travel the world preaching and teaching, and activating and releasing prophets among the nations. God is always challenging us to come higher and expand more.

There are many creative ways to activate believers. I have placed over 100 of them, organized into categories, throughout the chapters of my book, Prophetic Activation. Activations should be simple and fun. Saints should enjoy moving in the things of the Spirit. People of all ages can be involved.

Activations bring a new excitement to any church and they can be a catalyst for revival and glory.

The value of different activations is that they break your limitations and give you the ability to operate in different ways. Don’t be limited to your favorite way, but move in different ways and administrations. The prophetic anointing must never become boring and routine but should always be exciting and new. God has many surprises for us, and the prophetic anointing will always release new things.

With the diversity of gifts present in the body of Christ, activations are important because we want to see people operate correctly and accurately in their unique prophetic anointing. We don’t want to release people who could potentially do damage and harm to others. We need training—and sometimes correction—in operating in prophecy.

Activations provide a safe environment to help people learn how to operate in excellence in this important area. Although prophecy comes from God, it is released through human vessels, and therefore it can be tainted and sometimes delivered inaccurately. As 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” Prophetic activations are not designed to make everyone a prophet—only God can call and commission a prophet.

Activations are simply designed to stir people to grow in whatever level they are called to. There may be people participating and leading activations who are prophets, some with the gift of prophecy, and some who have the spirit of prophecy as a result of being filled with the Holy Ghost, but there also may be people who are psalmists, minstrels, intercessors, counselors, preachers, teachers and dancers. Activations will stir them and cause them all to move more in faith and inspiration.

Prophetic activations will raise the prophetic level in a church, region or territory. This level is measured by how many mature prophets are ministering in a region, how many believers are operating prophetically in a region, how many churches are operating in prophetic ministry in a region, and the level of prophetic intercession and worship in a region.

The Prophet Samuel is an example of how one person can influence a region. When Samuel was born, there was no prophetic activity in the nation (1 Sam. 3:1). By the time Samuel anointed Saul, there were companies of prophets ministering (1 Sam. 10). In 1 Samuel 19 we find Samuel at Naioth in Ramah standing over the prophets. The prophetic atmosphere was so strong that everyone who came into this atmosphere began to prophesy. Samuel was responsible for developing emerging prophets in Israel. The Bible does not give us the details of this training.

There probably was musical and scriptural training involved, and possibly impartation from Samuel into the lives of the prophets. Samuel brought prophetic ministry to a new level in Israel, which outlived him and continued in generations to come. This is what I intend to do by releasing to you these activations that have been so instrumental in my personal walk with Christ as well as in the life of my church. {eoa}

Excerpted from Prophetic Activation by John Eckhardt (Charisma House, 2016). To purchase the book, click here.

Apostle John Eckhardt is overseer of Crusaders Ministries, located in Chicago, Illinois. Gifted with a strong apostolic call, he has ministered throughout the United States and overseas in more than eighty nations. He is a sought-after international conference speaker and has authored more than twenty books, including Prophet, Arise!, Prayers That Rout Demons, Prayers That Break Curses, and God Still Speaks. Eckhardt resides in the Chicago area with his wife, Wanda, and their five children.

Charisma House has published 12 New York Times best sellers including The Mystery of the Shemitah by Jonathan Cahn, Fasting by Jentezen Franklin, 23 Minutes In Hell by Bill Wiese, and The Seven Pillars of Health by Don Colbert, MD.

We often hear of the repercussions of a home without a husband and father. The statistics can be haunting, and the collateral damage is immeasurable. As the prophet Malachi warns us, the absence of a father brings with it a decree of utter destruction. The facts are indisputable—when a husband leaves the home the family suffers. 

Jesus said, “If a household is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25).

I have lived a very dramatic contrast. I was raised in a house of division, but when I became an adult, my wife, Kay, and I built a home of peace. Our three children are now all married and building their own homes. We have the privilege of seeing them each navigate the challenges that life brings with faith and the perseverance required to secure their homes. 

Recently, a friend asked, “Neil, what are the keys that you and Kay implemented in building your home?”

Here are five things a husband brings into the home:

Security

“No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then he will plunder his house” (Mark 3:27).

Jesus teaches that the thief comes only to steal, kill and to destroy. Your nemesis hates your home. He knows that before he can take your possessions he must first tie you up. He considers you a strong man. You’re the protector of the home. You bring to your home a security—a spiritual authority—to protect your turf. 

If Satan can get you bound or remove you from being the gate of authority to your home, he has full access to ransack your home. 

When I was a teenager, our home was robbed. Someone broke into the garage and stole all kinds of equipment, tools and motorcycles. I had two bikes that I raced. They were both taken. If you’ve ever been robbed, you know the feeling that comes with it—a vulnerability and insecurity that makes you feel violated.

A vital attribute of being a husband is to bring security to the home.

Stability

“And every one who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them will be likened to a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matt. 7:26).

The husband brings foundational words, words you can build your life upon. Often times our children will roll their eyes and our wives may give us a humored grin at our mantras, maxims and adages—but with repetition, these foundational principles become stabilizing to them. 

However, let me encourage you to speak clearly and with conviction. If any of your words matter, then all of your words matter. 

Zechariah was receiving very disturbing messages when speaking with an angel, so the Lord turned to the angel and spoke “kind and comforting words.” It is very revealing to see the character of God in His reassurance of the angel who was speaking with the prophet. Rather than speaking down to or being dismissive to the angel, God spoke gentle and reassuring words to him. 

In the same way, as husbands and fathers, our words should be kind and comforting, bringing stability to our family’s confidence. 

Culture

The atmosphere that you allow in your home becomes the culture of your children. 

Kay and I were very careful to maintain a home of peace. We would not allow strife into our home. The Bible says that where there is strife there is every form of evil. I truly believe that strife manifests the presence of evil. 

It has become increasingly difficult to monitor the “voices” that are allowed to speak into our homes—the internet, smartphones and television have invited influences that are not always in agreement with our belief systems. I am sure that internet filters and monitoring controls for these devices are helpful but if we do not protect the atmosphere of our homes, we will not see it become a positive culture for our children. 

We don’t hear much about culture in the home but it’s very important. Conversation, books, politeness and manners may sound like archaic ideals but in reality these can and should become the attributes of our homes. 

If you teach your children how to conduct themselves at home, they will have no problem behaving in public. 

Laughter

My wife purchased decorative letters at Hobby Lobby and hung them in the breakfast room. The huge letters spelled out L-A-U-G-H. It was a constant reminder that we should enjoy our home. 

With all of the challenges we’re facing as families, it’s a good reminder that laughter is good medicine (Prov. 17:22). 

I realize you may be facing some real issues and stresses, but it may really help if you can lighten up a little. Especially around your wife and kids. 

Strength

“Be strong and be a man” (1 Kings 2:2).

Do not attempt to draw your strength from your wife and kids. Don’t whine and mumble about the burdens that you’re carrying. Don’t complain every time your children need clothes or need something for school. 

Go to God and draw your strength from Him, then turn and strengthen your family. 

Don’t be weak and whiny. Don’t put the burden on them. They’re children. 

“Likewise, you husbands, live considerately with your wives, giving honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they too are also heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Pet. 3:7).

Wow! Did you see that? The manner in which you treat your wife can close up the heavens for your prayers. 

My wife and I have enjoyed a tremendous relationship. However, early in our marriage, I was upset about something that was happening (I actually can’t remember why). I’m ashamed to say that I attempted to get my way by sulking and pouting for a few days. After my morning prayer time, I walked into the kitchen. Kay looked at me and said, “You’re wasting your time praying while you’re treating me like this. God isn’t going to side with you on this matter.” 

She was right. 

I immediately asked her to forgive me and said that I would not continue to sulk to get my way. I realized that my pouting was a childish and weak way to deal with my disappointments. From that day forward, I learned to get my strength from God and strengthen my family from my prayer time.

Action Steps

1. Is your home secure? Do you have a security system? Do you need one? Are you conditioned to protect your home? Are you situationally aware to protect your family? Look for ways to add security to your home without developing a “bunker-mentality.”

2. Do your words strengthen and encourage your family? Are your words flippant and demeaning? Monitor your words for a day and count how many times your speak down to a family member. 

3. What kind of television programs are entertaining you? Are you intrigued by murder mysteries? Are you entertained by inappropriate adult relationships? Are you watching too much television? 

4. When is that last time that you belly laughed with your family? 

5. Strengthen yourself with prayer. 

FivestarMan was founded in 2008 by Neil Kennedy. Kennedy has passionately promoted God’s Word for 25-plus years of ministry. He is known for practically applying biblical principles that elevate people to a new level of living. As a business, church, ministry and life consultant, Kennedy has helped others strategize the necessary steps to reach their full potential.

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Breast cancer patients following the Mediterranean Diet are seeing promising results with no return of cancer over a period of three years. Recently, the case study was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, also known as ASCO.

The Mediterranean Diet

Eating the Mediterranean Diet is an excellent way to improve health. The diet consists of eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and fish, and includes olive oil. Individuals include nuts, beans, higher fiber bread as well as whole grains.

The healthy benefits of following this method of eating include decreased heart disease risks, lower levels of bad cholesterol and reduced risks of developing such diseases as Parkinson’s as well as Alzheimer’s. Now, recent studies link the potential health benefit of this diet to the reduction of cancer (specifically breast cancer).

Breast Cancer Lifestyle Risks

One in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime as noted by the BreastCancer website. The danger of breast cancer doubles if a first-degree relative holds a diagnosis, such as a sister, mother, or daughter. Individuals who are overweight also hold higher risks to developing this type of cancer.

The Potential Link in Diet

Medical scientists are searching for links to breast cancer as it relates to dieting. During the Italy study, approximately 200 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer were placed on a Mediterranean Diet. Another group of 100 with the same previous diagnosis followed a normal diet with general advice from a dietitian. The groups of women were followed for three years in this Italian study.

Daily menu planning for group one included four servings of vegetables, three servings of fruit, and one serving of grains per day. Each week, the women added four servings of fish and plenty of olive oil. One alcoholic beverage was permitted each day. Group two followed their normal diet.

Outstanding Results

Although this is study is small, it provides outstanding results. All participants in group one who followed the Mediterranean Diet did not have breast cancer returns over the three-year period. In group two, eleven (11) out of approximately one-hundred (100) suffered from the return of breast cancer. According to Dr. Mayer, lifestyle intervention for breast cancer is of utmost importance.

Other Considerations

In view of lifestyle interventions for breast cancer, additional studies show other concerns. Some researchers feel the weight is more important that following a specific diet. Ongoing and in-depth research is definitely needed in this area as it relates to breast cancer. Long-term studies are needed to provide more detailed information in this area.

Living the Best Life Possible

Living the best life possible is important for the most optimal outcomes in life, including cancer prevention. Eating a healthy diet will bring individuals one step closer to living in greater health. Eliminating a high amount of processed meats and processed foods from the diet is exceedingly essential, along with including the daily elements of the Mediterranean diet to obtain and maintain outstanding health. {eoa}

Don Colbert, M.D., has been board-certified in Family Practice for over 25 years and practices Anti-Aging and Integrative medicine. He is a New York Times best-selling author of books such as The Bible Cure Series, What Would Jesus Eat, Deadly Emotions, What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You, and many more with over 10 million books sold. He is the Medical Director of the Divine Health Wellness Center in Orlando, Florida, where he has treated over 50,000 patients.

For the original article, visit .

Community is a big part of the life we live. And while some of us may have a bigger sense of community than others, the importance of having friends to confide in, spend time with and celebrate alongside is essential to living the community-based life Jesus has called us to.

Finding new friends is easy, but finding great friends can be quite tough. True friendships should last a lifetime, and I believe these 10 qualities are a good start when searching for friends you can truly do life with:

1. Reliable –Flakes are lame. Nobody likes to spend time with someone who constantly backs out of plans and shows up late. You’ll find yourself getting more and more frustrated with this person each and every time it happens. Mind you, not everyone is perfect, but you want someone in your life who is reliable and can be counted on.

2. Trustworthy –Don’t set yourself for friendship failure by befriending someone you cannot trust. Friendships with trust issues will always be a burden, especially if they are not handled carefully.

3. Driven –You are who you hang out with, regardless if you want to believe it. When you constantly surround yourself with people who are driven, it will continuously force you to evaluate your life, your goals and your dreams. Driven people make great friends. Why? Because they encourage you to step up your game for the betterment of you and your family.

4. Loving –It’s always great to have friends who are loving in your life. Whether they are showing up to comfort you in a time of need or supporting you and your family during times of success, a loving friend is always a joy to have.

5. Forgiving –Grace is key to any long-lasting friendship. Friends who can forgive each other stay together. We forgive because Christ first forgave us (Col. 3:1). And while resentment is sometimes hard to let go of, showing forgiveness will always bring liberation and peace. It’s always the better choice.

6. Honest –Find someone who will tell you the tough stuff, even it’s hard to talk about. Honesty is key to any great friendship, and I believe having people in your life that won’t hide the truth from you is something worth more than gold.

7. Supportive –Whether it is directed towards your goals, dreams or relationship with God, having friends that are supportive towards your personal goals is always a must. There is no use in spending time with people who aren’t supportive of who you are or what you do.

8. Humble – Pride comes before the fall (Prov. 16:18). While there is nothing wrong with having friends who are confident in who they are and what they do, I’d recommend staying away from opening up your life to people who are “all about them.” You’ll want to surround yourself with people who are confident in who they are, but also willing to humble themselves and praise the success of others.

I’m sure there are plenty of other great qualities to look for in friends, but I hope these help in your journey of finding great community.

Jarrid Wilson is a husband to Juli, dad to Finch, pastor, author and inspirational blogger. His articles have been viewed by tens-of-millions, showcased on some of today’s hottest talk shows, and featured on national news stations worldwide. He is a dynamic speaker whose outside-the-box perspectives have gained him national recognition from some of today’s most influential Christian leaders and pastors. He is also the author of the book titled, Jesus Swagger.

For the original article, visit .

The role of the father in society is not to be diminished, overlooked or underestimated. When a father realizes the extraordinary power his singular life has upon the next generation, he is able to leave ripples in the ocean of eternity.

How easy it is to live for comfort … for entertainment … for success … and for momentary pleasure. But how challenging it is to live for legacy! If a man or a woman chooses to live for legacy rather than for luxury or for self-gratification, one can actually live vibrantly beyond one’s human mortality. It is not dying to die. When you have determined to live for legacy, you are strikingly able to impact people on earth even when your address is on some golden street in heaven!

This day, the resounding call from heaven is to live in such a way that your legacy outlives you.

Not every man or woman determines to make their life count beyond that tiny dash on their tombstone.

There was a king in Israel’s history who chose not to live for legacy but to live for self. King Jehoram died to no one’s regret; his life was a mere 40 years of selfishness, futility and human misjudgment. It was indeed possible for King Jehoram to have left a legacy with a power that matched King David’s life and with the astounding honor with which Daniel is remembered. King Jehoram was given the opportunity to be a man of honor and integrity such as Joseph was. But this young king, by the forgettable name of Jehoram, chose not to seek God’s will, to ignore God’s ways and to live only for comfort and pleasure.

“He was thirty-two when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one’s regret. They buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings” (2 Chron. 21:20, MEV).

It’s one thing to die, but it’s another thing entirely to die without leaving any type of positive and life-changing legacy. We will all die some day—none of us gets out of here alive—but the most important choice you will make before the day of your death is simply to determine to live for legacy.

One day you will die … you will take your last breath of oxygen on terra firma and gloriously breathe your first breath of eternity’s joy. But on all other days that are given to you this side of heaven, you will live!

Some of the richest legacies have been left by the poorest of people. Some of the most significant of legacies have been crafted by the most insignificant of people. Some of the most lasting of legacies have been left by the youngest of people.

King Jehoram? He was only 40 years old when he died, a relatively young age. This forgettable king had reigned for eight years, which is the same amount of time as a two-term American president. Ronald Reagan served our nation for two terms, as did George W. Bush and William Clinton. All three of these men have left a legacy that will outlive themselves, whether or not you agree with their politics.

No one cried when Jehoram died and no one thought to miss this characterless man. This king was buried, but not with the other kings. King Jehoram was not buried with honor; no professional mourners were hired to weep and wail as his dead body passed by. At this time in history, the greatest honor that a person could attain to was being buried with the kings. King Jehoram had that chance but he chose to ignore it … to abuse it … to trifle with it.

David was the first person to be buried in the tombs of the kings. David was not a perfect husband, father or ruler but he left a legacy because of his heart. David had a heart that pursued the Father with every ounce of human strength. David was a man who chose to worship at the very worst moment of his life.

You don’t have to be perfect to leave a legacy that outlives your humanity. But perhaps the secret to leaving a resounding legacy is to be a person who pursues God relentlessly and who worships God recklessly.

Will you do it? Will you live for legacy? Will your life inspire others? Are you willing to make hard choices and to serve in the face of insurmountable odds? Your daily choices determine your legacy so choose well, my friend, choose well. {eoa}

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books, including No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released last August. Her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol’s “A Jolt of Joy” program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at .

In this video, Bethel Church’s Kris Vallotton exhorts us to steward the small things God has taught us or given us. He talks about how we must be faithful in the small things to produce fruitful lives.

For more on this subject, check out his book Developing a Supernatural Lifestyle.

Kris Vallotton is the senior associate leader of Bethel Church in Redding, California, and co-founder of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). Kris travels internationally, training and equipping people to successfully fulfill their divine purpose. He’s a best-selling author, having written more than a dozen books and training manuals to help prepare believers for life in the kingdom. He has a diverse background in business, counseling, consulting, pastoring and teaching, which gives him unique leadership insights and perspectives. Kris has a passion to use his experience and his prophetic gift to assist world leaders in achieving their goals and accomplishing their mission.

For the original article, visit .

What is “Holy Spirit religion”? How would an authentic anointing be recognized? How would we know that the Dove and not the pigeon has come down on the preacher? It is not always so clear—at least at first.

What then would true religion look like? How would one recognize pigeon religion versus Dove religion? Here are the six cardinal issues for which we must be prepared to go to the stake:

1. The need to be saved or one will be eternally lost. This is the main thing. As the old cliché goes: the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. The Bible in a nutshell is this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish [be eternally lost], but have eternal life”  (John 3:16, emphasis added).

At the end of the day, the most important article of faith in Christian theology is the need for all people to be saved. Once this belief is deleted, Christianity is no longer Christianity. For this reason, our preaching must consistently proclaim the gospel. A ministry that does not keep this central has allowed pigeon religion to creep in. Pigeon religion is the emphasis upon the things of the Holy Spirit without the gospel. It is also an emphasis on the gospel without the Holy Spirit.

2. The way to be saved. This too is the main thing: Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. “There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts. 4:12).  Salvation is found in no other. There are three things to be clear about here:

First, who Jesus is. He is the God-man. Jesus was and is God as though He were not man, and was and is man as though He were not God (John 1:1, 14).

Second, what Jesus did. He fulfilled the Law (Matt. 5:17), doing everything by His sinless life that is required for us to do, and died in our place. His shed blood turned the Father’s wrath away (Is. 53:6). God punished Jesus for what we did. He was punished for our sins.

Third, faith.  All that Jesus did and suffered for the salvation of the human race is of no value unless we believe.

3. The need for the Holy Spirit to bring us to Christ in faith. Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draws him” (John 6:44, emphasis added). Why is this particular teaching important? It will stop us from twisting people’s arms to come to Christ. You can get them to the altar, but you cannot get them to Christ. You can lead a horse to the water, but you can’t make him drink. Pigeon religion will get thousands to walk forward; only Dove religion will bring people to the foot of the cross.

4. Being filled with the Holy Spirit. “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). If all Christians are already filled with the Holy Spirit merely because they are saved, Paul’s words about being filled with the Spirit make no sense. All Christians have the Holy Spirit, yes (Rom. 8:9); one cannot come to the Lord Jesus apart from the Spirit (John 6:44).

But there is more.  Call it what you will—baptism with the Spirit, sealing of the Spirit or being filled with the Spirit—we all need more than what comes with conversion. Hence the question Paul put to the Ephesians: “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” (Acts 19:2). The answer: no. “Receiving the Spirit” was a phrase used to denote a conscious experience. They knew they had not received the Spirit.

5. The pursuit of holiness. The way to walk in holiness is by living by the same Holy Spirit that enabled us to believe the gospel. But what happens after we have believed? “This is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:3). The pursuit of holiness includes sexual purity, walking in total forgiveness and refusing to settle for anything less than a closer walk with God. Never forget that you are not your own. “You were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor. 6:20).

6. The infallibility of the Bible. All Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). Holy men of old wrote as they were borne along by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20-21). This means that the Bible is infallible and reliable. Would you die for your faith in the infallibility of the Word of God? I would.

I have been a Christian for seventy-four years. At the age of eighty, I believe in the infallibility and reliability of the Bible more than ever.

There is of course more to the Christian faith than these six principles. But these are what I believe most strongly. I would go to the stake for these. I have outlined what I believe are the essentials of the faith for which I am willing to die.

Let’s be sure that what we believe is what we would die for. And if it is good enough to die for, it is good enough to live for.

Adapted from Pigeon Religion: Holy Spirit is That You? by R. T. Kendall, copyright 2016; published by Charisma House. How can you discern when the Holy Spirit is authentically moving, or when a counterfeit spirit is producing manipulation? If the dove is the symbol of the authentic Holy Spirit, then the pigeon is a symbol of the counterfeit spirit. In this book, Dr. Kendall shows nineteen main differences between the Dove and the pigeon, and applies it to our relationship with the Holy Spirit. To order this invaluable book click here.

Prayer Power for the Week of June 19, 2016

Please remember to pray for the families of the victims of the recent terror attack in Orlando, and for the wounded. Pray for God’s redemption and healing for all. Ask the Lord this week to increase your awareness of what is true and what is not, fill you anew with His Holy Spirit, and saturate you with greater understanding of His Word. Determine by His grace to stand for His truth, as well as live and die for it. Continue to pray for our nation, especially during these turbulent times, and pray the Lord’s will concerning the upcoming elections. Remember our allies, our military and their families, and our spiritual, civic and national leaders. Ask the Lord for opportunities to share His love and spread the gospel (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Eph. 5:18; John 3:16). {eoa}