Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor of Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia, says prophecy may well be unfolding before our very eyes. He tweeted Thursday: “The people of Ukraine need your prayers as Russia continues their invasion. I have preached in Kyiv 5 times and these are some wonderful people. They need God’s protection as they are facing missile, artillery and air attacks. This is potentially a major prophetic fulfillment.”

Pastor Jim Garlow, the co-founder and CEO of Well Versed ministries, which brings biblical principles of governance to government leaders and ambassadors at the United Nations, says that the United States most do all it can to support Ukraine now.

Our hearts grieve for our Ukrainian friends. As we view this calamity, it is important to remember that in 1994, our nation—along with others—agreed to protect Ukraine if they would give up their nuclear weapons. Ukraine did. The nations—including the US—have clearly violated their word. In addition, the church is vibrant in Ukraine and badly needs our support. I was scheduled to be one of the speakers last September to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the overthrow of Communism in Ukraine. Who would have thought that five months later, Russian tanks would again be terrifying and oppressing Ukrainians.”

Dr. Alveda King says we must cling to the words of Jesus at this crucial time.

In the face of the wars and rumors of wars, Jesus foretold it is our job to remain calm, faith-filled and prayerful,” King says. “We pray fior the people of Urkaine, and yes, Russia, and people everywhere.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia tweeted: “Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is an assault on a sovereign nation and will have devastating consequences for Ukrainian citizens. This senseless, unprovoked attack undermines democracy worldwide and we must hold Russia accountable. And we pray for the Ukrainian people and for peace. “

Christian Nikki Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., tweeted: “Even on our worst day, we are blessed to live in America. We should all support the Ukranian people in their quest for freedom. Putin is a sick thug who doesn’t like freedom knocking on his door. We should support Pres Zelensky as he stands up to the bullying from Russia. We are always right when we fight on the side of freedom.”

Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, says that our silence is not an option in the face of injustice.

“As Russia invades, I implore the body of Christ to pray for those in Ukraine, their elected officials & the leaders of the world, that wisdom would be enacted swiftly and lives would be spared from further tragedy.” PrayForUkraine

Evangelist and missionary Lee Grady says prayer has been ongoing for the people of Ukraine for more than seven years.

“According to missionary reports, Christians have been gathering to pray for their nation every morning at 7 a.m. since 2014,” Grady says. “They even meet in the ice and snow. They continue to pray for peace, and that the gospel of Jesus will continue spreading from their nation. Let’s stand with them.

“The world is at intense time of shaking, but we know that our hope lies in the fact that Jesus is on the throne. At this time, we must pray for the peace that only He can give. I am praying that Russia will stop its aggression and respect the rights of the Ukrainian people to rule their own nation. I am also praying for the many churches and missionaries in Ukraine who are vulnerable to attacks.”

Doug Stringer, founder of Somebody Cares International, a worldwide humanitarian organization, says believers around the globe, especially those in America, cannot ignore this dire situation.

“The world watches Ukraine, a sovereign nation, being threatened and under attack by Russia. Personally, my heart aches as I’ve been reading posts of desperate prayer requests from friends and ministries in the region, and join in prayer with many for the Lord’s intervention. Sadly, many in our own nation are going about ‘business as usual’ and do not realize the urgency and consequence of what is being unleashed and the chain reaction of events that affects us all.

“I’ve been reminded of and praying from King Hezekiah’s example in Isaiah 37. ‘This is a day of trouble, distress and blasphemy’ concerning the attack and threats upon his nation. He also spreads out the threats before the Lord and prays, ‘O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the Your ear, even Your eyes, O Lord, and see, and therefore, O Lord our God save us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.'”

Nik Walker of Nik Walker Ministries says, “We are grieved at the events currently unfolding in Ukraine. As a ministry, we are praying fervently for supernatural protection from the Holy Spirit to cover and defend this nation.”

Christian author and founder of Touch Heaven Ministries, Frank Amedia, offered this prayer:

“Lord, protect the innocent from the vicious brutality of Putin and his armies. Give wisdom to the kings of the earth that goes beyond the natural. And we declare Psalms 35:8 upon the dictator and his cohorts, ‘Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.’ Give our president strength and wisdom and resolve, in Jesus’ name.”

Bishop Joseph Mattera says that we need to pray for the church in Ukraine to “persevere and multiply despite their grave situation.”

“We have heard firsthand from some of the people in the Ukraine of their need for prayers. We especially need to pray for the older Ukrainian people who are all alone without food or help.”

Pastor and Evangelist Greg Laurie tweeted, “As you know, Russia has attacked Ukraine. Let’s all be in prayer for the people there. Pray also for our leadership that they make wise and prudent decisions in the next few critical hours.”

Bible teacher and Charisma House author Kyle Winkler says that the invasion of the Ukraine is just more evidence of the trials Jesus said we would face.

“The news out of Ukraine today is devastating,” Winkler says. “But let’s not forget what’s greater still—His promise that He has overcome the world! Let’s pray for God’s overwhelming peace and overcoming grace to grip the hearts and minds of everyone involved. Let’s pray that the people are delivered from every evil and that anyone in harm’s way will experience God in the way of any harm. May what the enemy means for defeat be used as a means to defeat the enemy.”

Deliverance minister and Charisma House author Kathy DeGraw says the spiritual warfare surrounding the situation is intense, and the prayers of believers should be as well.

“Prayer must go forth as we stand in solidarity with the people in Ukraine. How do we pray in intense situations? We speak out audibly into the spiritual realm in which we fight. Declare to bind and rebuke the spirit of fear, death, destruction and murder. Speak for the Shalom peace of God to come upon them, for them to feel loved and safe.

“Proclaim that they will receive wisdom and revelation on their actions and movements to keep them safe. Bind and restrict evil forces. Pray to dispatch angels to guard and protect them and keep them and their families and children from harm. The war can be won but the war must be fought in the realms of the spirit and we have powerful artillery in the words we speak out through prayer.”

“In times of uncertainty, crisis, and disaster, we see the Lord actively at work drawing people to Himself,” says Dr. Paul Chitwood, International Missions Board President. “Many people are more open to spiritual conversations and ask questions about the truth and peace that is found in Christ alone when they face uncertain situations. Pray with us that Jesus Christ would be glorified through today’s global crises, particularly the crisis in Eastern Europe.”

How can you pray for the people of Ukraine today and going forward? Click here for a Ukraine Prayer guide, put together by the International Missions Board.

Stay tuned to for updates and more comments on this dire situation. {eoa}

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Editor’s note: In this article, Evangelist Len Lindstrom told Charisma News he estimated a crowd of 1.4 and 2.5 million people in Ottawa for the Freedom rally. Lindstrom now says that while he believes that, guesimating from an aerial drone shot, that he believes “at least one million people converged upon the city” for the event, that it can safely estimated that tens of thousands of people were in Ottawa on a daily basis and hundreds of thousands on the weekends. Charisma News sincerely apologizes for the error.

As a preacher of the gospel for more than 45 years, Len Lindstrom knew he didn’t want to miss the opportunity—no matter what the obstacles.

After attending a rally of truckers in Victoria, British Columbia, the global evangelist knew the Freedom Convoy event in Ottawa would be huge for the kingdom and the body of Christ in Canada. He certainly wasn’t wrong about that, as the event gained headlines worldwide and let government officials in that country know that Canadians were tired and weary of lockdowns and restrictions—and they weren’t going to stand for it anymore.

“The spirit of God swept down on me and I began crying and praising God and I realized that this was Canada’s hour,” says Linstrom, the founder and leader of World Harvest and Len Lindstrom Ministries. “God impressed on me that we were going to see a change in our nation. I immediately wanted to go to Ottawa.”

The problem with that was that Lindstrom is unvaccinated and the Canadian government, he says, has been “draconian” in their lockdowns and restrictions of Canadian citizens who have not received the COVID-19 shot(s). Forbidden to fly commercial cross country from Vancouver to Ottawa, the 70-year-old Lindstrom attempted to find smaller charter flights to the Canadian capital, but “unless you were fully jabbed, you were just out of luck.”

Not deterred, Lindstrom decided to pack up his truck and head to Ottawa, armed with the revelation that God was going to do something miraculous there. He drove 4,500 kilometers (3,300) miles over the span of four days—by himself—and when he arrived what happened exceeded his dreams. The trip most likely would have drained anyone else his age, but Lindstrom rode a wave of adrenaline and expectation to reach Ottawa for what he knew was going to be a God-ordained event.

“I got there later than I wanted to, but as I was driving, there was no weariness. I felt a fire in my bones,” says Lindstrom, who has done over 450 stadium crusades around the world in over 100 nations and has seen over 11.5 million first-time decisions for Christ. “When I arrived here, I never in my life, anywhere in the world and certainly never in Canada, seen such an outpouring of love, compassion and joy. There were Canadians of every background and culture—English, French and native Canadian immigrants—all together shouting freedom, freedom, freedom. “I’ve never seen such a festive atmosphere nor the marvelous outpouring of the love and the grace of God anywhere in the world.

“Then, our want-to-be dictator, Justin Trudeau, called in his forces and began what I call his ‘crimes against humanity.’ The police came in and began arresting people. Through people like Trudeau, the world is being fed a total bunch of propaganda, lies and misinformation designed to show that the people gathered there were racist, misogynists and terrorists. He called us every derogatory name you could think of to try to turn the narrative and portray the truckers and the protesters, whom by the way were very peaceful, as evil people.”

On Friday, Feb. 18, after nearly two weeks of peaceful protests, some demonstrators were taken into custody by Canadian police. Sky News reported that some policemen “wore tactical unit uniforms and carried automatic weapons.” One person being led away held a sign that read “Mandate Freedom.”

A Canadian native, Lindstrom says the country he grew up in and has lived in his entire life is known for being one of the most “peacekeeping nations” in the world. Churches have become a prime target since the lockdowns and restrictions of COVID-19 were initiated at the beginning of 2020, and Lindstrom has been a witness to a great deal of that.

While watching the police “swoop down” over the protesters in Ottawa, Lindstrom wondered what had happened to his country.

“When push comes to shove, Canadians stood up, and they did so in peace,” Lindstrom says. “I preached my first message from the main central station, and when I did, I said, ‘This is how Canada does a holy revolution—with peace, love and joy. The atmosphere in the entire two weeks I was there was wonderful, loving. I never saw one argument or fight.

“But when the brutal forces were brought in, thousands of extra police, it essentially became martial law and everything changed. I was out there on the front lines. We saw a man being trampled. We ran into people that had been beaten by police, shot with rubber bullets and pepper sprayed. They still stood their ground without becoming violent toward the police. True Canadians have a backbone and stand up to tyrannical rule. All they want is their freedom, which many of their freedoms have been taken away from them.”

And, it has led to what Lindstrom says could be the first Great Awakening in Canada—ever.

Revival in Canada

In his recent article for , Pastor Jim Garlow asked, “How do you view the Canadian truckers event? A protest? A blockade? … Could it be a spiritual renewal? Or a revival? Or at least a “pre-revival,” a precursor to an awakening? Quite possibly.

Lindstrom has little doubt about the possibility of it being one of the latter three. On Feb. 17, he took part in a “Jericho March” around Ottawa, similar to that of Joshua and the Israelites in the Bible. In the natural realm, he says, walls didn’t fall in Canadian Parliament or at city hall. But in the supernatural realm …

“We all know the story about how Joshua and his men marched around the city for six days,” Lindstrom says. “Then on the seventh day, they went around the seventh time. I joined in with a thousand people who marched around that last lap, and you could just feel the presence of God. We were just shouting in victory. We got up on stage afterward and they lifted the shofar, and the trumpets blew. At 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 17, the shots and the airhorn blasts went out in Ottawa.

“From a biblical perspective, I believe what is happening in the court of public opinion in the world is huge. The battle is the Lord’s. With every fiber of my being, in the spiritual realm, I believe the walls of Parliament came crashing down. I declared the walls of tyranny were coming down, and the walls of resistance to Jesus Christ in our land have come crashing down. God is sending a mighty revival with signs, miracles and wonders of His glory. From sea to shining sea, it is a new day for Canada. And out of this has come a prototype where many other nations have captured the same concept with big convoys from Paris to Poland and New Zealand to America. The people around the world are rising up. God is going to win. The exposure of darkness is coming, and the light of Christ will shine.

“Many nations have seen great revival, but we’ve never had national revival in Canada. God has saved it for this time. This has opened the hearts of Canadians and they see the evil that is encroaching upon us, the totalitarian society. Our only places of safety and recourse is in the shelter and arms of God. I feel it in my spirit. My heart has ached for it for 45 years, but there is a coming revival like we have never seen.” {eoa}

Shawn A. Akers is the online editor for Charisma Media.

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Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). The works of the devil are carried out by his forces.

Satan’s kingdom consists of principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12). There are different kinds of demons and different levels of wickedness. The Bible tells us we can destroy the wicked early (Ps. 101:8). We can destroy them that hate us (Ps. 18:40).

Satan is rendered helpless when his forces are destroyed. We have authority to bind the strongman and strip him of his armor. Israel was sent into Canaan to destroy different nations, which are pictures of kingdoms that possessed the land. Each kingdom represented a different type of stronghold God wanted His people to destroy.

Demons can be represented by different creatures. The diversity in the animal kingdom is a picture of the diversity in the kingdom of darkness. The Bible talks about serpents, scorpions, lions, jackals, bulls, foxes, owls, sea serpents, flies, and dogs. These represent different kinds of evil spirits that operate to destroy mankind. They are invisible to the natural eye, but they are just as real as natural creatures.

However, we must always remember that there are more with us than there are against us (2 Kings 6:16; 2 Chron. 32:7). The forces of light are far superior to the forces of darkness. Jesus is the Lord of the armies. The armies of heaven are fighting alongside the armies of earth. Releasing the angelic armies of heaven is an important strategy in warfare.

We can destroy and rout the forces of darkness in the heavens, the earth, the sea, and under the earth. These forces can operate through people, governments, economic systems, educational systems, and different structures set up by men. They can operate from different locations and in different territories.

In some places, men worship idols made in the image of men, four-footed beasts, birds, and creeping things. Behind these idols are demons—evil spirits that manifest in the natural through idols. These idols, or gods, are male and female. In Old Testament times, many of the nations worshiped gods and goddesses; Jezebel is an example of a female principality.

The Bible uses strong words that pertain to warfare, including:

– Abolish—to end, cut, strike through (Isa. 2:18; 2 Tim. 1:10).

– Beat down—beat, bruise, violently strike, crush, destroy, discomfort, break down by violence, dismay, terrify (Judg. 9:45; 2 Kings 13:25; Ps. 18:42; Isa. 27:12; Jer. 46:5).

– Break down—deliver, break, rend in pieces, crush, destroy, to spoil (by breaking in pieces), pluck down, pull down, ruin, beat down, cast down, dash in pieces, disperse (Exod. 34:13; Lev. 26:19; Ps. 2:9; 10:15; 58:6; 72:4; Eccles. 3:3; Isa. 45:2; Jer. 28:4; Dan. 2:40).

– Cast down—to tear down, break down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down, cast down to hell (Judg. 6:28, 30; Ps. 17:13; 89:44; 102:10; 147:6; Isa. 28:2; Jer. 8:12; Dan. 7:9; 8:10; 2 Cor. 4:9; 10:5; 2 Pet. 2:4).

– Cast out—to occupy by driving out the previous tenants and possessing their place, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to send away, to push away or down, cast away, to banish, to eject, send out, throw out (Exod. 34:24; Lev. 18:24; Deut. 6:19; 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 16:3; Job 20:15; Ps. 5:10; Matt. 12:28; Mark 6:13; Luke 9:40; John 12:31; Rev. 12:9).

– Chase (pursue)—run after with hostile intent, put to flight, persecute (Lev. 26:7-8; Deut. 32:30; Ps. 18:37; 35:3; Isa. 17:13).

– Confound (confuse)—to be ashamed, disappointed, brought to confusion, put to shame (Ps. 35:4, 26; 40:14; 70:2; 71:13, 24; 83:17; 97:7; 109:29; 129:5; Jer. 17:18; 50:2).

– Consume—to end, consume away, destroy, make clean riddance, to eat up, devour, burn up (Deut. 7:16, 22; Ps. 37:20; 71:13; 104:35; 2 Thess. 2:8; Heb. 12:29).

– Contend—to grate, to anger, meddle, strive, stir up, grapple with, to defend, chide, rebuke, initiate a controversy (Deut. 2:24; Isa. 41:12; 49:25; Jer. 12:5; Jude 9).

– Destroy—to end, to cease, destroy utterly, make clean, waste, make accursed, tear down, beat down, break down, to devour, eat up (Lev. 26:30, 44; 20:17; Deut. 31:3; Ps. 5:6, 10; 18:40; 21:10; 28:5; 52:5; 55:9; 74:8; 101:8; 144:6; Prov. 15:25; Isa. 23:11; Jer. 1:10; Matt. 21:41; Mark 1:24; 9:22; John 10:10; 1 John 3:8).

– Fight—to consume, to battle, make war, overcome, prevail, struggle, contend with the adversary (Exod. 14:14; 17:9; Deut. 1:30; Josh. 10:25; Judg. 1:1, 3, 9; Ps. 35:1; 144:1; Dan. 10:20; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7; Heb. 10:32)

– Prevail—to enclose, to hold back, shut up, stop, be strong, put on strength, to overpower, restrain, bind, conquer (2 Chron. 14:11; Ps. 9:19; Isa. 42:13; Matt. 16:18).

– Smite—strike, beat, cast forth, slaughter, give stripes, wound, slay, push, defeat, inflict, dash, gore, hurt, put to the worse (Num. 25:17; Deut. 13:15; Josh. 7:3; Judg. 20:31; 1 Sam. 15:3; Isa. 19:22; Jer. 43:11; Acts 7:24; Rev. 11:6)

– Wrestle—to struggle, grapple (Gen. 30:8; 32:24; Eph. 6:12)

Why does the Bible contain all these words that speak of warfare? Because it is filled with stories of warfare. The history of man has been determined by wars. During a vision, the apostle John even saw war in heaven between Michael and his angels and Satan and his angels (Rev. 12:7).

Clearly war requires warriors, and warriors must have the tenacity to overcome their enemies. But we do not go against the enemy alone. God trains our hands to war and our fingers to fight (Ps. 144:1). {eoa}

For more information or to order John Eckhardt’s Prayers That Rout Demons (Charisma House, 2007), visit .

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 forty nations. He is a sought-after international conference speaker, has authored more than twenty books and produces a daily radio broadcast. His television program, Perfecting the Saints, is seen weekly throughout the United States on the WORD Network. Eckhardt resides in the Chicago area with his wife, Wanda, and their five children.

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My wife recorded almost all of the recent Winter Olympics and we are still trying to see every exciting moment. Some of the athletes experienced tears of joy, while others experienced tears of disappointment. Some collapsed in physical exhaustion or pain, while others concluded with thills of happiness and fulfillment.

While we watched as distant, virtual spectators, I couldn’t help but reflect on scriptural principles and spiritual lessons, which we all should acknowledge and apply to our own very real lives and spiritual races.

Suffering Saints

After the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the rapid growth of followers of Jesus in Jerusalem, persecution arose and one of the gifted lay-leaders named Stephen was stoned and martyred (Acts 7). The saints in that holy fellowship suffered persecution, religious threats and social harassment. Eventually, many believers were driven from the Jerusalem area and scattered “everywhere preaching the word” (8:1-4, NKJV).

In Acts 13, Spirit-filled and gifted leaders Barnabas and Saul were sent out from the “Christians” in Antioch of Syria on an ordained mission to the Jews on the island of Cyprus and then to Jewish communities in Asia Minor (Turkey today). Jewish leaders became jealous of the crowds these “missionaries” (sent ones) drew and eventually rejected them and their message of Jesus, the Messiah. But many Gentiles gladly received the word of the Lord throughout the region (chapter 14).

Barnabas and Saul had an effective ministry in the towns but faced persecution and violence, as Paul was even stoned in Lystra and left for dead. But God raised him up and they continued on to Derbe, where they also preached the gospel “and made many disciples” (14:21).

They had added ministry on their return trip to Antioch by visiting the “baby believers” in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (of Pisidia), “…strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God'” (14:22).

Today, as well as then, believers become “saints” when God imputes the righteousness of His Son, Jesus, into them at salvation. But they need to be strengthened in their journey of faith by other believers and instructed in the ways of the Lord by gifted leaders. The Holy Spirit progressively imparts His holiness and grace to growing believers, as they enter into the life of the kingdom of God. This happens through many hardships, sufferings and “tribulations” (v. 22).

Our Present Troubles and Trials

The word tribulation means pressure, trials, distress and frustration. Jesus said:

“… In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

Jesus has conquered these trials, hardships and sufferings for His saints! We must learn to apply the promised victories over our temporal troubles, knowing that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

We must learn to embrace the trials of our journeys and not seek to escape them. This doesn’t mean we passively accept them but that we wisely see our pains, limitations and trials in light of a bigger objective—that of the will of God and for His kingdom. As the writer to the scattered early Messianics said, “… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).

Later, after two other missionary journeys, fraught with other hardships and sufferings, the apostle Paul testified that:

“…none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

In Paul’s final exhortation to his partner and student, Timothy, he again remembered the patient endurance he had gained for the race he had run:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).

Enduring Faith

The apostle James, the earthly half-brother of our Lord Jesus, says:

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations” (James 1:2, AMPC).

These tests and trials may be seen as outward adversities, which James advises that we … consider as causes for a joyful response. This is not a normal reaction to negative circumstances. Instead, it calls for deliberate, intellectual and spiritual decisions on our part that are only possible from a godly, kingdom-focused perspective.

The trial or temptation is a test of our faith and will demonstrate our endurance, steadfastness and patience. Spiritual growth will enable us to stand up under the pressure of adversity, proving the genuineness of our faith.

In the face of tests and trials, our developed faith will produce in us right living, right motives, right thinking and right relationships. On our road to Christian maturity, our Lord Jesus will give us the grace we need for the race He sets before us.

“Happy is the man who doesn’t give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love him” (James 1:12, TLB). {eoa}

Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys’ California Foursquare church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at and frequent articles for digital and print platforms.

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Each month, Grant Berry and Bob Wolff join Dai Sup Han on Prayer Surge Now, a national prayer conference call for the Watchmen of the Lord.

Their focus in this prayer hour is on unifying the ekklesia/church in The One New Man (TONM) between Jews and Gentiles to help fulfill Yeshua/Jesus’ prayer of John 17, understanding the greater depths of prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of Israel and the nations. Click here for call-in information:

Grant Berry initiated the prayer call with this topic: Jewish believers in the church discovering the fullness of their identities. He and his wife, Hali, and Susan Torregrossa, a prayer leader for Reconnecting Ministries, related their personal testimonies and experiences of coming to faith in Yeshua/Jesus and their subsequent understanding of their unique roles and calls as Jewish believers.

The call for Jewish believers to rediscover their identities is not religious per se but rather spiritual. As Israel awakens, there is a place in the New Covenant for Jewish believers to live as Jews from within the context of TONM, for Jews to be Jews and Gentiles to be Gentiles. Grant often jokes in His teachings that God loves pizza and Chinese food, and He also loves matzah ball soup. God made the Jews and He made the nations, a picture in the expression of the One New Man that illustrates our uniqueness and callings (see Ephesians 2:14-22). It is similar to the first century when the two groups were learning to live together in this beautiful One New Man that Yeshua/Jesus created at the cross and the Resurrection.

As God now shifts His focus into the fullness of the Gentiles and Israel’s salvation (see Romans 11:25), the church must recognize the hour is at hand for Jewish people to believe in Yeshua and return to the natural branches of the olive tree (see Romans 11:24). God’s children from the nations should not only grasp this regeneration but also bless and fully support it. Furthermore, we must also come to understand that Israel’s salvation is a pathway to the Lord’s return. The church is also beginning to discover that it has a major role to play in this awakening.

Jewish believers also have a responsibility to shine the light of Yeshua back to their people, clearly demonstrating that they remain Jewish when they come to faith in Him, which ultimately is the only true path of Judaism.

Within this context, a few themes resonated from the testimonies that illustrate some of the issues surrounding Jewish believers reclaiming their identities. These are items we need to commit to prayer.

Jewish Believers in the Church

The church is only now becoming aware that Jewish congregants should be encouraged to reconnect to their Jewish roots and heritage, especially by the pastorate and leadership. Up to this point, it has greatly misunderstood this connection.

Over the past 1,700 years, the church has been taught that differences no longer exist in the faith between Jew and Gentile. The church cultivated a belief that it had fully replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. Many Gentiles believe that when Jews come to faith in Yeshua/Jesus, they should fold into the Gentile church and assimilate, following Gentile traditions rather than those the Lord established for them. In other words, “You can’t do that Jewish stuff anymore.”

Often, these Jewish believers sever all their Jewish traditions and heritage, and instead embrace Christian ones. As a result, many Jewish believers have become disconnected from their roots and lost their identities that was ordained by God. This obviously needs to change!

Jewish Believers in the Messianic Movement

Many Jewish believers in the Messianic movement want nothing or little to do with the church. Messianic believers have felt rejected for wanting to connect to their Jewish roots and heritage. But they have also felt rejected by unsaved Jews who denounce Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah, telling them, “You are no longer Jewish!”

This pushback has caused some Messianic believers to become isolated, sometimes holding too tightly to their identities in Jewish expression and practice, which leads to legalism. And some have become critical and judgmental toward the church. Just as God’s children from the nations are instructed to love Jewish believers, Jewish believers are called to love their Gentile-believing family. This works both ways, and we need to pray for the family of God to be made whole and to fulfill Yeshua/Jesus’ prayer of John 17.

Sharing the Gospel

Through the Holy Spirit’s leading, Jewish believers can experience freedom to express their giftings and destinies that are different from the Gentile side of the family. They can identify with their people through a shared heritage, thus enabling them to share the gospel more effectively and helping to win Israel back to faith.

We Are One

Though Jewish believers may possess unique callings and giftings different from their Gentile family, God intends both sides to live as one in TONM. It is through the Father’s heart of love that Jewish and Gentile believers will be transformed into unity, into one beautiful olive tree. Jewish and Gentile identities are upheld and equal as they are co-heirs in Messiah/Christ. This love equation will release dunamis (power, might, strength, ability) to open Jewish and Gentile hearts for God’s kingdom purposes on the earth and His end-time plans to be accomplished.

You can listen to the recording here. {eoa}

Author and speaker Grant Berry is the founder of Reconnecting Ministries and Producer of The Romans 911 Project. Grant is a Messianic believer in Yeshua/Jesus and is promoting a new message into the body of Messiah/Christ during these last days, known as “The Reconnection.” The Reconnection is a term used to describe the reuniting and reconciliation of Jewish and Gentile believers and all races and tongues into John 17, love and unity in “The One New Man” now that Israel’s awakening is upon us. The Romans 911 Project has been created to bring the Reconnection message to light, which has primarily been hidden in the mystery of Israel’s restoration, according to Romans 11:25-27. For more information and a special offer on The Romans 911 Project, please visit .

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The Holy Spirit is for you! He is the most amazing person you can ever meet.

I think having a personal relationship with Him is one of the most incredible adventures we can have in life. When we are walking with the Spirit, He loves to reveal His love to us in new and exciting ways every single day. But not only is the Holy Spirit for you, but the baptism with the Holy Spirit is for you and everyone!

I had such a profound and powerful encounter when I was baptized with the Holy Spirit when I was 18 years old. I have never been the same.

Ever since that day, I have seen thousands of people receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit in numerous ways. Whether it has been at churches praying near the front, in prayer groups, beside me in church vans, at residential treatment foster care facilities, standing outside near the gun ranges or even remotely, I’ve witnessed Jesus baptizing His kids in the Holy Spirit.

Whether I’ve laid hands on people or not, or encouraged people to go home and pray, many report how the Spirit of God filled them up and they spoke in tongues. Acts 2:1-4 shows us the amazing encounter where the Holy Spirit was poured out for the first time. But ever since then, the Spirit is poured out in power for everyone who calls on the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38-39).

The promise is for you and your children. My kids were between the ages of four and six when they received the Spirit baptism. As I’ve heard it said before, “There is no junior Holy Spirit.” Kids receive the same Holy Spirit you and I do when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit is given to you and me without measure. That means we can have as much of Him as we want. There is no limit!

How much of the Spirit do you want in your life? I want to be so filled up, I am overflowing everywhere I go. And I have been overflowing since I was baptized with the Holy Spirit.

If you need to receive this precious gift of the baptism with the Spirit, start asking right now. {eoa}

Jared and Rochelle Laskey co-founded Fireborn Ministries to teach believers how to live daily Spirit-empowered lives. You can find their resources and learn more about their ministry on . They also have e-courses such as Entry Level Prophecy, The Last Days, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit and more on . Listen to this episode of Adventures in the Spirit with Jared Laskey.

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During my vision of hell, one of the things Jesus said to me was, “My people make excuses why they don’t witness. They say, ‘I didn’t feel led.’ They fear man rather than God.”

Of course, we each need to be led by the Holy Spirit when we witness to others, but many times we use that as an excuse. We refrain from sharing the way of salvation with others because we fear people more than we fear God. What does it mean to fear God rather than people?

To fear God means we obey Him (Deut. 6 and 17). In Acts 5:29 (NKJV), Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather then men.” Jesus told us to go into the whole world and preach the gospel. This is a command to every believer. We should obey Him and not fear what man will think about the gospel or what their response will be. Anything God commands us to do is not a burden. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and He will give us the grace to do it.

This command to witness doesn’t mean you have to quit your job and go to some foreign land. We all have a sphere of influence, and we should watch for opportunities to share the way of salvation with others in our own sphere. The best way to share Christ is by our life example; it speaks volumes. The world observes how we live.

– Do we forgive those who are harsh toward us?

– Do we show kindness to those who speak evil of us?

– Do we participate in dirty jokes or bad language?

– Do we work with excellence and show up on time?

– Do we speak evil of others?

– Do we complain?

– Do we help others?

These are things people notice. If we are good examples, then when we share about the goodness of God, they will be much more receptive to hear what we have to say. We don’t have to memorize all the Scripture. We can simply share what God has done for us. We can offer to pray for someone who is going through a tough time.

Showing we care is essential to softening a person’s heart before we share about Jesus. If we share about what Jesus did for each of us when He died on the cross, the power to convict them is in the preaching of the cross.

It’s not about our ability but about the power that resides in the Word of God to impact people’s lives. {eoa}

Bill Wiese is the author of New York Times best selling book, 23 Minutes In Hell, the story of his life-changing visit to hell in 1998. Bill has since authored six additional book titles and continues to share his experience around the world. He and his wife Annette founded Soul Choice Ministries in late 2006 and have dedicated their lives to reaching the unsaved. For more information about Bill Wiese and Soul Choice Ministries, please visit us at You can find more of Bill’s teachings at

One of the most challenging things that we will continue to face throughout our Christian walk is dealing with cycles and seasons of resistance, opposition, persecution, temptation and unseen obstacles. It seems that when we are close to the finish line, life trips us up by creating stumbling blocks.

It is the plan of the evil one to disqualify those who are called to run and finish their spiritual race with endurance and momentum (see Hebrews 12:1). The Lord wants His people to pay attention when they are gaining spiritual traction and growing in their faith in Him. The devil looks for opportune times such as those to break their stride.

Types of Resistance

There are types of resistance that come in unexpected ways when we are living life on purpose. These types of oppositions or hindrances that we face commonly include health scares, betrayal, toxic relationships, bad sleeping patterns, unhealthy eating habits, inconsistent dieting and financial hardships. These natural challenges seem as if they are overwhelming and too hard to overcome. We also struggle with emotional and physical challenges, such as depression, stress, oppression, anxiety, paranoia, lust, ungodly thoughts and desires, fleshly temptations and appetites, sickness, disease, unexplained illnesses and other bodily difficulties.

Whether it is seen, unseen or supernatural, we must understand that resistance does exist. In one way or another, we will face it. Dealing with resistance from a spiritual and biblical perspective is needed if we are going to have the faith and courage to conquer it. It is not a coincidence that when we are accomplishing the Father’s will and purpose, we go through sudden trials, resistance, persecution, opposition and life challenges. You must, however, remain faithful to the Lord in spite of what is working against you in the unseen. You must not choose your will over God’s will.

There is no doubt that tough times will come. The first-century believers experienced them, and those living in the last days will as well. Terrible days, however, often come to build believers’ character and faith in God. When you go through difficult life circumstances and situations, you must take and leave your burdens at the feet of the Lord (see Psalm 55:22). He will sustain you and help you to break through any unseen barriers and obstacles that are out of your control.

The Bible says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11, ESV). In God’s presence, there is joy and He will reveal to you the path that leads to life and success.

The enemy knows this, and he will do anything in his power to make it difficult for you to achieve your life’s goal and spiritual success.

Lord of the Breakthrough

The Lord wants to bless those who are His and bring them into a place called breakthrough. He is the Lord of the breakthrough and He will fight for you when breakthrough seems unreachable. If He is called the Lord of the Breaker (see Micah 2:13, AMP), the Breach (see 2 Samuel 5:20 AMP, CEV) and the Breakthrough, then He is the War General in battle that can accomplish that for you.

How many spiritual battles and victories have we missed because we did not take the time to seek God on a matter in spiritual warfare resistance?

King David addressed the resistance to his breakthrough by inquiring of the Lord. The Lord gave him a strategy against the Philistine army that ultimately facilitated a breakthrough that was like a gushing river. David made this statement of what God did for him in two different battles against his enemy: “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters” (2 Sam. 5:20, NASB). We should seek the Lord first to find out exactly what we are up against and how we should conquer those places, people and things that are blocking us.

Every resistance or setback is not created by the enemy, but things such as wrong relationships and alignments can hinder us. Also, certain geographical locations can be environments of hindrance if they are not conducive for expansion, growth or success. Even places of employment or places of worship can work against us if the Lord is requiring us to go in a new direction. There are many factors to consider when it comes to natural and spiritual hindrances.

Believers often over-spiritualize hindrances by blaming every setback on the enemy. But could it be that we become our biggest hindrance by assisting the enemy when we disobey the Father’s instructions and wisdom for our lives? It is easier to blame-shift than to take full responsibility over our spiritual growth and decisions.

It is wise to ask the Father what specific, unseen things are delaying your breakthrough. Do not allow the enemy to dupe you into believing that God does not want you to experience His blessings. They only can happen, however, through the act of obedience.

Discern the Hindrance

Anything that is restraining or restricting you from prayer, fasting, reading and studying the Word of God, spending time with the Father or going to the next level in your relationship and communion with the Holy Spirit will require spiritual breakthrough. Believers must be able to locate and discern where they are experiencing their greatest setbacks or resistance. They must then determine what necessary steps and plans of action are required to receive breakthrough in those areas.

Do not take matters in your own hands. Seek the wisdom and timing of God. Paul and Silas encountered a hindering spirit through a fortune teller on their way to prayer (see Acts 16:16–18). It took several days for Paul to discern what was the source of her powers. He did not assume that he knew, but he discerned accurately with the help of Holy Spirit. Later, Paul rebuked the spirit in the name of Jesus and commanded it to come out of her. He needed the power and authority in Jesus’ name to address this preventing spirit.

Discerning of spirits is needed vitally in the body of Christ to deal with spiritual backlash, retaliation, setback, opposition, resistance or demonic hindrances. To embrace and encounter spiritual breakthroughs, we must first discern spiritually what invisible hindrances are present. Spiritual discernment is required to recognize and deal with spiritual matters (see 1 Corinthians 2:14). No matter what attacks the enemy decides to send your direction to break you down, you will achieve breakthrough by the power of God through the Holy Spirit in you.

\When trials and setbacks come unexpectedly to put a hold on your life, the Bible says to rejoice.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4 BSB).

This sounds like a hard thing to do when subtle or blatant obstacles continue to show up. These hidden agendas and setbacks that force delays can cause us to lose all hope and confidence. We must understand that God will provide His power to overcome all that comes our way, which is why we can have joy. We often misread what Paul wrote in Corinthians. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Cor. 10:13).

This verse, spoken by Paul, means that the strength of the temptations that believers face will be proportionate to the strength that God gives His people to resist them. We often misinterpret this verse to mean that the Father will not permit unfortunate things to occur in our lives that we cannot bear. Such an interpretation contradicts Paul’s later writings, where he goes into detail about the hardship and great pressure he encountered in Asia. These hardships were far beyond his ability to endure, to the point that he despaired of hope and life itself (see 2 Corinthians 1:8–9). God will allow us to experience difficulties in life that are too much for us to bear so that we can learn to depend on His supernatural strength and not rely solely on our own strength (see 2 Corinthians 1:10).

He knows what worldly temptations or works of the enemy we are able to overcome by the help of the Holy Spirit. God never said that we would not have problems. We should arm ourselves with God’s Word by humbling and submitting ourselves to it and to God.

If we do that, we can resist the devil and he will flee. {eoa}

Excerpt from The Power of Aligning Your Words to God’s Will by Hakeem Collins provided by Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Copyright 2022. Used by permission.

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Every Shabbat at our home synagogue, we have a class we call Foundations of Messianic Judaism, which is an open forum, question-and-answer session where I welcome questions about Messianic Judaism, Judaism, Christianity, the connections between the three and the disconnections.

In this class, I receive all types of questions. Most of the questions are about how to live a Messianic lifestyle, while others are questions about what we read in the Bible, how we should understand what we read and how we can or even if we should apply what we are reading to our lives. I hear questions about things like kosher diet, Shabbat observance, biblical marriage and heaven and hell.

Quite often, I am asked a question about “The Unforgivable Sin,” based upon the verses found in Mark 3:28-29 (TLV):

“Amen, I tell you, all things will be forgiven the sons of men, the sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever slanders the Ruach ha-Kodesh never has release, but is guilty of an eternal sin!”

Most of the people that ask questions about “The Unforgivable Sin” usually are asking the question out of a place of fear that they might have committed “The Unforgivable Sin” and are afraid that they can no longer find forgiveness and redemption. I try to assure them that if they still have concerns about having committed “The Unforgivable Sin,” then they have not yet committed “The Unforgivable Sin.”

If they had, they would not be worrying about having committed “The Unforgivable Sin.” Sometime in the future, I will write a blog about “The Unforgivable Sin” and go into more detail about it.

By now, anyone reading this blog has noticed that I have typed “The Unforgivable Sin” in quotation marks and capitalized letters throughout this article. I did this for a reason, which I hope to explain in the balance of this article.

As I said above, one of the most asked questions I receive is about “The Unforgivable Sin.” People who come to faith in Yeshua (Jesus) or return to faith in Yeshua are often plagued with a fear that they might have committed this sin and disqualified themselves completely from any chance of spending eternity with G-D. However, while many people are familiar with “The Unforgivable Sin” from Mark 3, that is not the only sin that cannot be forgiven; there is at least one more.

The other sin that can’t be forgiven is the unrepented-for sin. Yes, it is true that Yeshua’s death paid the price for all sin for all time. But in order for people to receive the atonement that Yeshua provided, they must repent of their sins. Repentance is not simply feeling sorry for having sinned. Repentance is turning our lives around and living according to G-D’s Word.

In the Bible, we see the amazing testimonies of G-D’s forgiveness of those who committed murder, rape, theft, idolatry and the list goes on and on. G-D’s grace and forgiveness is freely available to all so that, as the Bible says in John 6:37:

“Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and anyone coming to Me I will never reject.”

And the powerful words of 2 Peter 3:9:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

However, while both of these verses and many others speak about G-D’s welcoming grace and forgiveness, they both (and many others) also speak of our need to “come” and “repent.”

The truth is that while many people are absolutely terrified about “The Unforgivable Sin,” in reality, statistically very few people will ever commit the unforgivable sin written about in Mark 3, while millions of people, many of whom are our family members and friends, are living unrepentant lives outside of the grace and forgiveness of G-D. These people whom we know and love will one day stand before a just and loving G-D, and if they have not truly repented, whatever the last sin they committed before they passed from this world will be their “Unforgivable Sin.”

So, while blasphemy of the Spirit is unforgivable, so is any sin that is unrepented for. We must share the message that we read in Acts 3:19:

“Repent, therefore, and return—so your sins might be blotted out.”

Our focus must be readjusted so that we become more aware and more concerned with “The Other Unforgivable Sin.” {eoa}

Eric Tokajer is the author of Overcoming Fearlessness, What If Everything You Were Taught About the Ten Commandments Was Wrong?, With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering Ministry, #ManWisdom: With Eric Tokajer, Jesus Is to Christianity as Pasta Is to Italians and Galatians in Context.

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Does God assign a person’s rightful place in hell?

The answer is yes. Absolutely.

God assigns people their rightful places and establishes their punishment. “They shall have their part in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 21:8).

A person need not be concerned about this if Jesus is their Lord and Savior. Those who do not fear and obey God now will learn to fear Him after it’s too late. {eoa}

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