While our nation is fixated on the upcoming election, God has given a word to an Australian pastor that Donald Trump will win a second term. But that same pastor is calling for prayer.

Dr. Reg Morais, founding pastor of Living Faith Community Church in Perth, Australia, and founder of Anoint the World Ministries, first received a prophetic word at the beginning of 2020. Around this same time, he prophesied that draconian laws would come into place in America and that the U.S. would go into upheaval because of a sensitive matter, which he now believes is the Black Lives Matter issue.

Morais told me in this episode of my God, Trump and 2020 podcast that the current upheaval in the U.S. is taking place because Trump is exposing too many things and that Christians should pray.

In 2017, he prophesied that then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball would be replaced with Scott Morrison, which people said was impossible. A few months before his election as prime minister, people said he would never win. It was very interesting to hear an Australian perspective on how Prime Minister Morrison, whom Morais describes as a born-again, Spirit-filled Christian, has many parallels to Donald Trump. Indeed, Morrison has been a big ally of Trump and is known around the world as one of the few leaders willing to stand up against China.

I was impressed with how knowledgeable Morais is about political personalities and issues affecting America. He says part of the reason for this is that every Australian knows that, when America sneezes, Australia catches a cold. So they believe America needs to be strong and have a strong leader.

One of the reasons for this belief is that Americans have supported missions more than any other country in the world. Morais is also calling for an eight-hour prayer service on Sept. 12. I promised him I would promote the prayer meeting. I think it’s important for us to join with our brothers and sisters around the world to pray.

He prophesied some specific things about how Biden and Harris would enjoy a honeymoon period, raise a lot of money, and then something sour would churn that would really hurt their chances for election.

“People will pour money into them and get excited about them,” Morais told me. “But that will only last about six to seven weeks. Within six to seven weeks, you will see an event which will take place within their campaign, and eventually a certain event will be exposed, and you will see. It will go over like a lead balloon, and immediately people’s attention will turn back to Donald Trump. …

“People will start to know the reality of who Joe Biden is and what Joe Biden will try to do. His entire motive and agenda will be exposed in the days to come.”

Next month, Morais is starting a new podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network called Autism Overturned, which you will need to check out.

I know you’ll enjoy this episode of God, Trump and 2020. Be sure to listen, like and share it with friends and family members. And encourage them to check out , home to my newest release, God, Trump and COVID-19 as well as the bestselling God, Trump and the 2020 Election and my two other books that focus on the spiritual side of the Trump election and presidency. If you care about what happens to our country, you’ll want to join me in praying, reading and voting to protect our American way of life. {eoa}

As we move toward the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we should familiarize ourselves again with what those days were about and who was involved in those days in Biblical times. One man who played a primary role was the high priest, who was responsible for fulfilling the rituals required for Israel to receive atonement for their sins.

This one man, the high priest, served that role in both the tabernacle and temple. At the time of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) death, the man serving in the position of high priest was Caiaphas. In Matthew Chapter 26, we read about the trial of Yeshua before Caiaphas, and in verse 65, we read the following:

“Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, ‘He has uttered blasphemy. What further need do we have for witnesses? See, now you have heard His blasphemy.'”

These words are often overlooked as unimportant information, simply a demonstration of the priest’s anger, similar to someone being angry enough to pull their hair out. However, there is a much deeper spiritual concept being demonstrated here, which is vital to the spiritual life of every believer. In Leviticus, we find out this about the high priest:

“He who is the high priest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not dishevel his hair, nor tear his clothes” (Lev. 21:10).

Notice that the high priest was not allowed to tear his clothing. Once Caiaphas tore his clothes, he had disqualified himself from being the high priest. In other words, Caiaphas’ tearing of his clothing was equal to resignation from his position.

Shortly before this event took place, we find in John 3:28-30 (TLV), Yeshua and His disciples visiting the Jordan River where John the Immerser is. John is speaking to his followers and says the following words:

“You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,’ but rather, ‘I am sent before Him.’ “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the best man rejoices when he stands and hears the bridegroom’s voice. So now my joy is complete! He must increase, while I must decrease.”

It is believed by many (including myself), that John the Immerser was actually, by his lineage, the man who was supposed to be the Cohen Gadol (high priest) at the time of Yeshua. We know from history that Caiaphas was a political appointee by Rome. We also know John’s father was serving in the Temple. We know a large group of people followed John and were immersed by him. We know John was from the correct tribe: Levi. There are other good reasons to believe that John was the “actual” Cohen Gadol, but because of the Roman authority, he was not serving in the temple.

One additional reason to believe this (and very important in the context of this blog) is the statement that John makes above in verse 30. “He must increase, while I must decrease.” If John, as we believe, was the high priest by lineage and biblical rights, then these words become very important and John’s overseeing of the immersion of Yeshua shows John’s relinquishing his position as high priest. John resigns differently than Caiaphas, but he reigns nonetheless.

With this in mind as believers in Yeshua, the only qualified high priest at the time of the death of Yeshua was in fact Yeshua Himself, as we read in Hebrews Chapter 7, after the order of Melchizedek. So, with the resignation of John and the disqualification of Caiaphas, Yeshua stands as the one and only high priest, and the spiritual authority over all Israel. Yeshua was the only man capable of performing the rituals required to bring atonement to Israel. When we read Hebrews Chapter 9, we find that He did.

At the time of Yeshua’s death, Yeshua was the only qualified high priest of Israel, and His sacrifice provided atonement for all Israel. But, unlike all of the previous high priests whose service could only provide atonement from one year to the next, Yeshua’s atonement, according to Hebrews 10:10, was once and for all time:

“By His will we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Messiah Yeshua once for all.”

One additional thing we must understand is that, according to the Talmud, the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) offering was not accepted by G-D from the time of Yeshua’s death until the destruction of the temple.

So, if Yeshua didn’t provide atonement once and for all, then there is no atonement available. {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.

Pandemics place another layer of stress on top of the pressures modern life already bring, and they can potentially produce stress responses in our bodies around the clock. The good news is that bad stress is based not on actual events but on our reactions to our perceptions—and our reactions are within our control.

It all comes down to how we choose to perceive and think. Dr. David Burns identified 10 distortional thought processes that I expand upon as a basis for defeating stress and creating an atmosphere of peace and joy within our souls, homes and communities.

10 Distortional Thought Patterns

1. “What if” thinking: During a pandemic or outbreak, you probably have heard people say things like, “What if I get this virus?” “What if I lose my job?” “What if someone I love dies of this?” Those thoughts may even find their way inside your own mind. But “What if” thinking almost always leads to anxiety and fear. As believers, we have a sure future as we are told in God’s Word. We don’t live in a “what if” reality but rather a “God said” reality. God’s Word says that He always causes us to triumph, that He will take care of all of our needs, that He will never fail to provide for us and protect us.
2. Catastrophizing: I call this kind of thinking “awfulizing” because the mind actually magnifies unpleasant events and transforms them into something more awful or horrible than they really are. You might stand in line to buy toilet paper, only to have it run out before you get to the rack. Someone who “awfulizes” situations will see this as a sure sign that they will never get the supplies they need.

Reframe those moments. Choose to see long lines and other delays as relaxation breaks when you practice a couple of deep-breathing exercises or check emails or text messages. I call this choosing to “awesomize” those moments! In pandemics and at all times, we can “awesomize” rather than “awfulize” our circumstances.

3. Habitually expecting the worst outcome: When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world, some people responded by saying, “I’ve been waiting for this to hit.” Their faith was in Murphy’s Law, which states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. People tend to personalize this and think, “If something bad is going to happen, it will probably happen to me.”

This is such a dangerous habit. All thoughts can become self-fulfilling prophecies. Instead of expecting the worst possible outcome, begin to expect something good to happen to you. Start thinking of best-case-scenarios and use them like a weapon against Murphy’s Law. Dethrone that terrible “law” and enthrone the “law of Christ” in your life! It works.

4. Leaping to conclusions: I call these people “grim leapers.” They mistakenly believe that they know what another person is thinking without having any facts to support it. They habitually make negative assumptions that fuel their anxiety. For example, someone declines your invitation to dinner during a pandemic and you think they don’t value you anymore, when in fact they feel run-down and don’t want to expose you to anything harmful. Or their motivation may not even be related to the pandemic. It’s far too easy to misread someone’s motivations and to read our own fears into their actions. Let’s leap to good conclusions and give people the benefit our trust and love.
5. Black-and-white thinking: People who suffer from this thought pattern view circumstances in black and white, with no shades of gray. They are perfectionists who see their work as either flawless or worthless. All news is either amazing or terrible. There is no in-between. At a deeper level, such people tend to gain a false sense of control by thinking, “If I control everything in my environment, my family and I will be protected.” This kind of all-or-nothing perspective is a recipe for disaster, and it causes a constantly elevated level of stress.

The good news is, God never expects us to attain perfection. The Bible even promises that righteous people will fall many times, but each time they will get up and press on. That’s the lifestyle of the believer: rejecting prideful perfectionism for the humble but relentless pursuit of God.

6. Unenforceable rules: This person has a rigid set of rules about what should, must or ought to be done and tries to put people and events into a little box. During pandemics, people’s rules get firmer and more numerous. You might think, “Everyone should wear masks and stop going in public!” Or you might think, “People should chill out and be a little more friendly!” These expectations are unrealistic because nobody has control over circumstances or other people. The more unrealistic and unenforceable the rules are, the greater the stress.

The only should statement we need to make is: “I should do everything I can to give love and mercy, especially during this time when people’s emotions are frayed.” That’s a recipe for a healthier life.

7. Labeling: Pandemics can bring out the worst instincts to denigrate other people. Some label others as “fear-mongers” for being concerned about public health, while others accuse those who are not openly worried of being cavalier with the lives of others. Insults start piling up: “Ignorant.” “Unscientific.” “Foolhardy.” All degrading words divide, leaving us weaker than before. Labels destroy the very sense of love and belonging we need during times of heightened challenge.

Loving others sincerely is the healthiest thing we can do (Rom. 12). It does no good to delegitimize each other. Let’s respect and learn from the different perspectives each of us brings to the table.

8. B You’ve met this person: He or she discounts all positive information. You might say, “It looks like the rate of infection is lower than they previously thought,” and he will say, “Yes, but did you hear about the cruise ship that’s been infected?” People like this have a talent for retaining all bad information. They find the gray lining in every silver cloud. Make sure you’re not one of these people. Replace your filter so you highlight the good stuff and not the bad.
9. Emotional reasoning: This person treats feelings as facts. Anxiety becomes a firm reality. Perceived danger becomes actual, not just an imagination. Because our emotions are drawn to rise and fall with news cycles and a myriad of other factors, it pays during pandemics to distinguish emotions from facts. When we do, we remove the steering wheel of our minds from the grip of our emotions.
10. The blame game: In crisis moments, the temptation is often to blame others or God for what is happening. People feel they are victims of unfair circumstances, and they want to assign blame. During the COVID-19 outbreak, I heard people say things like, “It’s that other country’s fault. They should have been more transparent with the rest of us.” And, “Our leaders failed us. They should have acted quicker.” And, “Our leaders acted too quickly and did more harm than good. They turned America into a police state.”

There are serious issues to discuss regarding national and personal responses to extreme health crises, but those discussions never move forward on the wings of blame. To blame and complain is to lower your walls of immunity.

Protecting ourselves against pandemics has a lot to do with the battle in our minds. We can confidently gain victory by filling our minds with peace, joy and certainty—attitudes that boost the immune system and lead to strength, optimism and triumph over any invader. {eoa}

Don Colbert, M.D. has been a board-certified family practice doctor for more than 25 years in Orlando, Florida, and most recently in Dallas, Texas. He is also a New York Times‘ bestselling author.

In more than 40 years of ministry, spirit-filled pastor Larry Huch says he has seen many trends among believers, but one in particular that is very disheartening.

Christians, he says, live well below the promises and covenants of God, simply in part because they don’t fully understand where they are on God’s biblical timeline.

But he tells Dr. Steve Greene on this episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ancient prophecies currently unfolding that will release the outpouring of God’s supernatural blessings and miracles in these End Times—if only the believer will receive and latch onto them.

“In ancient Hebrew, there is no word for coincidence,” Huch says. “Jesus said you have to have eyes to see and ears to hear. … We are literally in that time in which God said ‘I will open up for you the windows of heaven. There will be signs and wonders and miracles.’

“And when you read it, it will give you faith—not faith that you hope something good happens. You know something good will happen because these Bible prophecies are all coming pass to right now.

“… In the very last days of the coming of the Messiah, Hebrew prophecy says the eyes of the Gentiles will be opened up and they will begin to understand their Jewish roots in the Scriptures. The power and the blessing of God will be so great on them that it will get the whole world’s attention. … When you look at these prophecies, you realize what happens right before the windows of heaven are opened up and God begins to pout our His blessings in ways that will get the whole world’s attention. People need to know that we are in that appointed time where there is going to be a gushing. We are in a season right now of the greatest outpouring of God’s power and love that the world has ever seen.”

For more about the seven prophecies, listen to the entire episode with Larry Huch. {eoa}

When it comes to pandemic protection, I strongly encourage all of us to practice preventative measures in public places and at home through such things as social distancing, hand-washing, use of sanitizer, gloves and glasses or goggles, among other things. Consider it another line of defense so that our bodies can win the war without even fighting.

As an example, let me show you what a normal shopping outing looks like for me in the midst of a pandemic.

Dr. C. at the Store

I keep in my car a roll of paper towels, surgical gloves, hand sanitizer, goggles and a face mask. On the way to the store, I listen to uplifting Christian music or talk radio. My heart is at ease and confident of the Lord’s protection in all circumstances as I head out to do a little shopping.

When I park at the store and turn the car off, I take off my sunglasses and put on the nice-fitting protective goggles I bought at Home Depot. The most important thing is that they seal my eyes and are comfortable.

Next, I put my surgery mask on. I use about one mask per day and keep it lying upside down on the dashboard so UV light from the sun can kill germs. It’s best not to touch the mask itself, so I’m careful how I take it off and put it on. I touch the ear loops, not the mask, and slip them over my ears.

Then I put my gloves on and put a little bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket. I have plenty of hand sanitizer because I buy it in big containers which I use to fill up smaller ones that are easier to carry. I have these small containers available for my staff and my family as well.

As I get out of my car wearing goggles, a mask and gloves, I take a couple of paper towels with me in case I have to open a door. I may use one to wipe down the shopping cart, too. Once inside the store, I keep my distance from everyone and don’t dilly-dally. My goal is not to go up and down aisles seeing what’s on sale or what’s new. During a pandemic I want to get what I need and get out. I’m usually in the store for a total of around five to 10 minutes.

Although I keep my distance from people and move quickly to do my shopping, I never become tense, angry or anxious. Though I’m wearing a mask and people can’t see me smiling, I still am polite, courteous and exude the peace of God.

When I am finished shopping, I stand in line a good distance from the person in front of me. When it’s my turn, I put my items on the conveyor belt and use the plastic divider. I’m not afraid to touch these things because I have gloves on. After I pay for my groceries with a debit or credit card, I put the groceries in the back seat of my car, pull out my hand sanitizer, wipe down the credit card, and set it to the side to let it dry. The clerk who may have handled the credit card has handled thousands of others. They don’t really have the option to sanitize their hands between every transaction.

Once in my car, I remove my gloves and throw them away. I then take the goggles off and put them in the passenger seat or middle console. I carefully remove my mask, handling only the ear loops, and put it on the dashboard upside down. I sometimes spray the inside of my mask with hydrogen peroxide and let it dry in the sunlight. I remind myself not to touch my face inadvertently. I then apply hand sanitizer to my hands, making sure I get between my fingers and under my fingernails. I keep my fingernails very short because the virus can hide under the nails.

If I have to fill up with gas on the way home, I take a sheet of paper towels and grab the gas handle with them. I believe that gas handles almost certainly carry the germs of the pandemic. At least I treat them as if they do. I recently heard of a healthy football player who believes he contracted COVID-19 from a gas handle; he spent five days in the hospital.

As soon as I get home, I take my shoes off and leave them at the door because the virus could be on the bottom of my shoes. I put the grocery bags not on the counter but in an area where we keep our personal items. The reason is that I want to make sure nothing on the boxes touches our counters.

During outbreaks, Mary and I are extra diligent about making our kitchen an infection-free zone. We wipe the counters down with Clorox spray a few times a day. We don’t allow purses, cell phones, grocery bags, computers or anything like that in the kitchen because viruses can survive for days on these items, and it’s easy to carry it from one place to another without realizing it. We don’t always live with this degree of vigilance, but rules change during pandemics.

Before unbagging the groceries, I wash my hands thoroughly with foam soap. The Mayo Clinic recommends following these steps:

—Wet your hands with clean, running water, either warm or cold.

—Apply soap and lather well.

—Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

—Rinse well.

—Dry your hands with a clean towel or air-dry them.

After washing and drying my hands, I put the groceries away—eggs in the fridge, frozen goods in the freezer and so on. I’m not worried about catching a virus from food containers because it has never been shown to be transmitted this way. It is potentially possible but very improbable. I also wipe off the doorknob on my back door, which is the one we use the most, and any other outdoor doorknobs if used. I do this with disinfectant wipes one or two times per day or as needed. I also wipe off my car door handle as needed.

I throw away the shopping bags, then go to the living room to relax! That is what my shopping routine looks like during a pandemic. The point is to take simple, practical steps to raise a physical barrier between you and the virus or contagion, but not to feel strange or anxious about what you are doing. Remember that peace of mind is huge in keeping our immune systems performing well.

Don Colbert, M.D. has been a board-certified family practice doctor for more than 25 years in Orlando, Florida, and most recently in Dallas, Texas. He is also a New York Times‘ bestselling author.

Excerpted from Dr. Don Colbert’s book, Pandemic Protection (Charisma House 2020).

Experts tell us that older people, African-Americans and males, are more vulnerable to COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory disease, discovered in Wuhan, China at the end of last year. Also, the virus may more severely impact people with pre-existing physical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has offered a simple three-step protocol aimed at stopping the spread of this deadly virus in the United States. He calls them ‘The 3 Ws’ for COVID-19 hygiene:

—Wash your hands often and thoroughly, with soap and hot water.

—Watch your distancing from others.

—Wear a mask to help curb the spread.

Who Do Masks Protect?

The messages about facial masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 have been inconsistent and confusing from the beginning of this epidemic. Exactly who is being protected from whom? How effective are these efforts? What scientific evidence do we have?

The coronavirus is a respiratory infection, spread person-to-person through close contact. Wearing a mask diminishes spreading “respiratory droplets” that you may release in a cough or sneeze. Some “experts” even suggest singing, shouting, speaking or even breathing without wearing a mask, may spread these contaminated droplets.

So, in wearing a mask in public, you are presumably protecting others. And others, wearing a facial covering or another mask, are being their “brother’s keeper” and presumably protecting you.

Still Confused?

Scientific evidence for wearing masks is limited and confusing to many. But, based on past evidence and recent observations, the filtered airflow through facial masks seems to reduce the larger aerosols being sent in both directions.

Masks should not be seen as just an unnecessary inconvenience but an altruistic tool to free us to move about in public and get to where we may need to be.

Lessons to Learn

I would like to spiritually adapt the three steps for COVID-19 hygiene, offered by Dr. Jerome Adams. Please consider with me The “3 Ws” for Spiritual Hygiene.

1. Wash your hands often and thoroughly. James 4:8 (MEV) says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

This season of social isolation and physical testing gives us added time to reflect, repent and repeat—to “purify our hearts” and focus on God. If He seems far away during this time, remember that He is actually closer than we may think. The closer we draw to God, He will likewise draw near to us. Therefore, let us cleanse our spiritual hands often and thoroughly purify our hearts!

2. Watch your distance from who or what may be carriers of the disease of sin and the lies of Satan. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Did you catch the two commands there? “Do not be conformed” but “be transformed.” Scripture said we would be challenged by the “world, the flesh and the devil.” During these months of excess time, we may have been tested by each of those “carriers of the disease of sin.” God wants us to submit to Him and then “resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Use this season for spiritual growth and “be transformed by the renewing of your mind!”

Another area where Satan may work against us in this time of crisis is in regards to fear and the uncertainty of death itself. Hebrews 2:14-15 says: “So then, as the children share in flesh and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who through fear of death were throughout their lives subject to bondage.”

Some have lived “throughout their lifetime subject to bondage” over “the fear of death.” Jesus has come to bring deliverance from the false power of death (1 Cor. 15:54-57). The devil’s powers are curbed in the lives of committed believers.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:1-2, NIV).

3. Wear a mask. Our church has given out some custom-made masks with the church logo and this joyful saying: “This mask is hiding my smile.”

Wearing a mask during this COVID-19 crisis covers our nose and mouth and is meant to keep us from breathing in microscopic particles of the virus and its consequential effects.

Jesus’ blood provides a covering (“propitiation”) for our sins (1 John 2:1-2 and 4:9-11, MEV). God no longer sees us as sinners, but as His sons and daughters who have been freed from the guilt of our past, the effects of sin in our present experiences and able to “eagerly await” our heavenly rewards in the future, where we will enjoy our “vaccine” over sin and Satan forever!

As we progressively walk in holiness, the fruit of the Holy Spirit immunizes us more and more from the evil one, who comes—as Pastor Jack Hayford used to say—to “trick, trap and trample” us.

Let us learn to proudly wear the covering of God’s love and Jesus’ blood to “mask” over the stain of a life of sin and forever to “smile”—as overcomers—at the eternal defeat of the Devil (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-10). {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. Gary and his wife live in Southern California and have two married daughters and five grandchildren.

Viruses and sickness are evil! But God!

His Word promises that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Those who love Him are having their lives and purposes developed within them even in the midst of evil.

We have to understand that we live in a fallen world. Man creates many iniquitous pits that we can fall into. But God always has a plan—plan A, plan B, plan C or plan D—He never runs out of plans of redemption because of His love for mankind! If we listen, the Spirit of God will maneuver us through the time in which we live. He speaks to us and gives us wisdom and revelation. And He says, “If you’ll do this one thing, I will respond to you! This hardship is hard but not complicated. All you have to do is listen and obey, and I’ll walk you through this.”

The Lord is rearranging how we see disease and sickness. I consider that we have done things that have allowed disease to enter our atmospheres. Yes, the Lord died for mankind and broke the headship of the evil adversary in the earth realm. However, He left man to enforce what He had shed His blood for. Passover should be a daily celebration in our lives, but we don’t always enforce what the Lord wants us to enforce.

I think God always has plans for us, for our betterment. However, we must exercise the same power that resurrected Him from the dead over death, hell and the grave! If we don’t enforce what He would have us enforce in the earth realm, the whole earth suffers. Lands are crying for healing!

However, there is a new move of God in His people in this hour! They are like a river of glory fire—liquid gold flowing throughout lands. They resemble fiery lava moving from state to state, province to province and nation to nation throughout the earth. These glory warriors will destroy the works of the enemy in days ahead. Over the next several years—through this Passover decade—we will mature into a people who do exploits and are ready to go to war against any darkness attempting to bring destruction to our Lord’s kingdom plan.

These people are ones who know how to triumph. To triumph is to obtain victory, or a state of being victorious in conquest. Triumph carries a distinct emotion for God’s children. In triumph, one expresses joy or exultation because he or she has prospered, succeeded and flourished. To triumph means to celebrate and rejoice with victory and jubilation. Triumph indicates that an advantage has been gained over the enemy. Triumph also conveys that success has been granted through a supernatural grace being released.

God has a people who must keep moving in the earth. Movement is linked with life! If we stop moving, we stagnate or routinize.

If there is one thing I have seen happen from season to season, it is that the church stagnates. Sometimes this is because we fall into apathy; however, most times we stagnate because we enjoy getting comfortable in one season and resist change.

We must be a people who are willing to war for our future. When we do, we will cross over into the new season God has for us. {eoa}

Adpated from Chapter 7 of The Passover Prophecies by Chuck Pierce: Contending for a New Identity and Freedom (Charisma House 2020).

As part of the Awakening Digital World Tour, we stopped in South Africa. I have a strong affinity for South Africa and many prayer warriors aligned with us there.

Admittedly, I am not a student of revival in South Africa and only learned of the revival history after receiving the prophetic word I am sharing below. I heard the Lord say over South Africa:

“I am calling you to pull from your revival heritage. I am calling you to pray the prayers of the pioneers who pressed in and pursued revival long before you walked the earth.

“If you will cultivate in your heart a passion for souls and pray for the harvest, I will rain down on you. I will rend the heavens and come down to you. I will pour My spirit out upon your nation again in such a way that ancient divisions will find healing in My presence.

“You must pray like the pioneers and prophets from decades and centuries ago. They grabbed hold of My heart, not just the horns of the altar. I moved in their midst in a mighty way in response to their humble prayers.

“South Africa will be awakened when the intercessors are fully awake and when the evangelists are prepared to reap the harvest. Pray, then, to the Lord of the harvest that He will ready laborers to reap after intercession is sown. Pray without ceasing until you see My will come to pass.

“For many revivals will break out in Africa, but South Africa is the tipping point to awakening a continent.”

It’s time for the intercessors to tap into the prophetic words and prayers spoken over South Africa from many days gone by. It’s time to tap into the 1 Timothy 1:18 charge to wage war with the prophetic words spoken over the nation. It’s time to get aggressive in the Spirit. Who will pray?

Would you help me help you bring revival to your nation? Check out Awakening Prayer Hubs here, and join the movement. {eoa}

When it comes to the defeating fear and its negative effects on your health, there is only one true foundation for a positive, immune-boosting outlook during a pandemic: faith in God and His biblical promises. Faith underlies all healthy thinking and living, and I strongly encourage you to base every thought and opinion you have on the written Word of God. Get it inside of your mind and heart and let it define you.

When fear presents itself, you will find yourself saying, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” You might surprise yourself with what comes out! I guarantee your faith will form a powerful shield of protection, spiritually and physically.

In Cleveland, a patient who beat COVID-19 left a handwritten message of faith on the wall of his isolation room for the ICU medical staff at the Cleveland Clinic to read. The message read in part, “Today I leave this ICU a changed person, hopefully for the better, not only because of your medical healing & God’s direction and guidance, but with the fact of knowing that there are such wonderful people dedicated to the care and concern of others. God bless each of you.”

Encourage yourself with the many uplifting stories during the COVID-19 pandemic of people young and old healing from the virus. The words of Dr. Fuhrman represent my firm view that “Even the more virulent and dangerous flu strains, such as the avian flu, stand little chance against a truly healthy immune system.” Our immune systems thrive when we stand on the Word of God and declare His truth over any potential threat.

Voice Your Faith

Our biggest task as believers is to not let a pandemic build a stronghold in our thought lives. Fear acts like enemy propaganda on our health, weakening us, making us afraid, inviting illness and defeat. I recommend that every believer quote specific Scriptures aloud multiple times throughout the day. Meditate on them and end the day by speaking them aloud again. The Word of God builds a fortress of faith in our minds and lives. It breaks down any strongholds of fear and worry that the enemy may have begun to build through news reports, social media or interactions with fear-filled people.

To live by faith is to literally choose life over death. Romans 8:5-6 (NKJV) says, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Our response to pandemics should not be like the world’s response.

Even if we have to get up early to go to the store to buy supplies or cancel travel and business plans or wear protective gear, we do not have to be anxious as other people might be. Peace can spread through a group of people just as fast as anxiety can. A pandemic is our time to be leaders, tone setters, atmosphere changers and overcomers in our communities and families.

A great Scripture to read aloud during a pandemic is one that many quoted and preached from during COVID-19: Psalm 91. Read it aloud and insert your name and the names of your loved ones wherever it says “you.” For example, verse 3 would read, “Surely He shall deliver me and my family from the snare of the fowler.”

Another foundational verse for immune-boosting faith is 2 Timothy 1:7. Again, personalize it by saying, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” A third example is Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV), which you can read aloud this way: “I am not anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, I present my requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.”

Take Ground

I encourage you to go further. Use any extra time you have to study a specific book or theme of the Bible in greater depth. Take an online Bible course to deepen your knowledge and bolster your faith. Connect with others by holding Zoom Bible studies or creating prayer groups by conference call or text. This might even be a good time to reconnect with people with whom you have a strained relationship. Maybe forgiveness is needed. Maybe there just needs to be a good, positive conversation to say, “I care for you and hope you’re doing well.” Take what the enemy intended for ill in the pandemic and use it to advance God’s kingdom in your life.

Make sure to keep a journal of these things to encourage yourself and to record the growth that happened during that season. Fill it with statements of gratitude and praise, testimonies of God’s faithfulness and protection during the crisis and anything you feel God speaking to your heart. These will fill your heart with faith, gratitude and a sense of celebration when you read over them. All of this will enhance your immune response and contribute to overall physical health.

Look for Miracles

In addition to looking for “good news” stories of recovery, pay attention to miracles happening in your own life. For example, right away during COVID-19, I could see that telemedicine would be a big part of the future of medicine and I felt the Lord speak to me about it. Though I was limited in the number of patients I could see during the pandemic, since many of my patients fly in from all over the U.S. and the world, I could treat them through a video screen. Neither of us had to wear a mask. The patient didn’t have to go into public and be worried about catching something. Of course, I couldn’t check their vital signs, but I was amazed at how much I could diagnose through a screen.

I believe God has plans for you in every crisis, every pandemic, every difficulty that comes upon the world, to advance you and take you higher in every way. Stand on faith and watch the miracles He performs for you. {eoa}

Don Colbert, M.D., has been a board-certified family practice doctor for more than 25 years in Orlando, Florida, and most recently in Dallas, Texas. He is also a New York Times‘ bestselling author.

Excerpted from Dr. Don Colbert’s book, Pandemic Protection (Charisma House 2020).

Over the nearly 40 years that I have spent teaching the Bible, I have been amazed by many things. But, one of the things that I am most amazed by is that there are millions of people that have received the Good News, but really have no idea what the Good News is.

While teaching, I will often ask people the question: “What is the Good News?” The answer I receive most often is: “The gospel.” To that, I respond: “The gospel is just a different way to say the Good News. It is not an answer to the question ‘What is the Good News?'”

What follows this statement is usually someone quoting from 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (TLV), which says:

“For I also passed on to you first of all what I also received—that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

The truth is that the Good News, or gospel, isn’t the death, burial and Resurrection of Yeshua. The verses in 1 Corinthians 15 are the beginning of a list of many evidences of the Good News that Paul provided. But, the evidence of something isn’t the something; it is the proof that something exists.

So, you may ask what is the Good News, or gospel? The best way to find the answer to a biblical question is to look in the Bible. In this case, we can find the answer by reading the words of Yeshua (Jesus) Himself in Luke 4:16-21:

“And He came to Natzeret, where He had been raised. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on Shabbat, and He got up to read. When the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him, He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ^‘The Ruach Adonai is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor.’ He closed the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue were focused on Him. Then He began to tell them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your ears.’”

Notice that Yeshua said He was proclaiming the Good News and what He proclaimed was release of the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed and proclaiming the year of Ad-nai’s favor. This proclamation by Yeshua was prophesied in Isaiah 61 and was fulfilled that day in that synagogue. Everything that Paul listed beginning with 1 Corinthians 15:3 is the evidence of the fulfillment that Yeshua spoke of in Luke 4.

In other words, Yeshua’s death, burial and Resurrection are a major part of the evidence of the fullness of the prophecy and promise given through Isaiah and fulfilled by Yeshua. The Good News isn’t that He died, was buried and rose again. The Good News is “He has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor.”

And that Good News is ours because the Good News was proclaimed and fulfilled by Yeshua Himself. Our release was proclaimed, our sight was proclaimed, our freedom from oppression was proclaimed and Ad-nai’s favor was proclaimed. Yeshua’s death, burial and Resurrection weren’t the Good News; they are proof of the Good News. {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.