Following nearly three months away from their sanctuaries due to COVID-19, church leaders are slowly beginning, as the law permits, to allow their congregations to come back to their respective worship centers. But at this point, is it the right thing to do?

The Hon. Sam Rohrer, president of the American Pastors Network, says church leaders must answer that question with “real discernment,” discernment that comes through prayer and communion with God the Father.

“God says in his Word, in James, ‘if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.’ And I think these are times we must ask for wisdom. There are churches that I can tell you about across the country that never, ever closed. They continued to meet, and they are meeting now like they have met all along, sitting in the pews and the babies in the nurseries. And they did it with the knowledge of local law enforcement.

“Pastors that I know, nobody got sick in their churches. They said, ‘This is an essential thing, and we’re going to trust God.’ My sense is this: One size fits all may not be the case. I can tell you that one size fits all from the standpoint of what God says. And I can tell you what the Constitution says. But when it comes to the application, it may vary from what one region of the country to another, or one level of anxiety for people in the congregation or another. Some churches I know have been meeting for six weeks. But at this point, maybe only 75% of the congregation are attending physically, and the other 25% are choosing to watch online.

“The pastor needs to know the state of his flocks. Within that context, I think he needs to shepherd them to where they are. The rules of this game, ‘the rules’ meaning the facts of COVID and so forth, we all know they continue to change, and experts contradict each other all the time. You certainly are not dealing with biblical truth when you’re talking about COVID-19.

“So where this is where wisdom is necessary, and it should not be viewed in a ‘right or wrong’ way. The pastor needs not to shepherd his flock with timidity. He needs to err on the side of truth—knowing what the Bible says and what the Constitution says—and with wise leadership, lead his people forward in a time when we very clearly as a nation are being led to think in uncertain times to be fearful. That’s why this whole thing has been done: to make people fearful. That’s not what God intends us to do.”

For more about civil and moral law as they pertain to our churches and our society, listen to the entire podcast.

The old question has arisen again, and it will continue to be on the minds of believers until the presidential election in November: Should Christians vote for President Donald Trump?

Shane Idleman, Spirit-filled lead pastor of West Christian Fellowship Church in Lancaster, California, says unequivocally—yes.

“Absolutely,” Idleman told Randy Robison on a recent episode of LifeTodayTV. “We are seeing a divide in our nation right now. There are groups that say they are Christians, and they are not because they don’t have a visible relationship with God. And, there are Christians that say they just cannot vote for Donald Trump for one reason or another.

“But I think we forget, biblically speaking, that the government’s role is a lot different than the church’s role. So Donald Trump is not running for pastor in chief. He’s not trying to fit the guidelines for Timothy and Titus as an elder. He is doing what he is supposed to be doing. As Christians, we have been given this enormous gift from God known as America, a democracy. Really, it’s a republic. But he (Trump) is doing what he said he would be doing, and I think he is doing biblically what he needs to be doing. …

“No, he is not the model Christian. But we need to look at America from the standpoint of, ‘What am I leaving for my kids and my grandkids?’ We’ve got over 200 conservative judges in office now. He’s fought for securing our borders. He’s fought to get prayer back in schools, and he’s fought for the unborn and to abolish abortion. Look at it this way: Right now, we are seeing so many things we’ve been praying for, for years.

“Be the conscience of the nation. I don’t know if people really realize this, but who he has around him is incredible, people like Jim Garlow, Pastor Jack Graham, Jentezen Franklin; he’s listening to them, it’s not a game.”

Watch the video for more of Pastor Shane Idleman’s thoughts on President Trump.

Recently, a young woman from our Messianic synagogue asked me the question “Where is the power?” She asked further that if the body of Yeshua has access to the miracle working power of the Holy Spirit, then why are we not seeing many miracles signs and wonders?

I have been asked this question many times, but this time seemed especially relevant because of current events we are experiencing. We are dealing with a pandemic, locusts, fires, riots and many other natural and man-made catastrophes. Many believers have been fasting and praying looking for a supernatural event to take place that would show the world the power, majesty and sovereignty of G-D.

Because this question seemed to resonate so strongly within my spirit and stayed in my heart since she spoke those words, I decided I would spend this week’s blog answering that question.

Let me begin before actually answering the question by saying that I believe in the gifts, power and working of the Holy Spirit. I believe that all of the miraculous gifts that were present in the lives of first-century believers are still available to us today. Not only do I believe they are available, but I have seen and experienced many miracles in my life and the lives of those around us.

One recent example was when a dear friend and member of our synagogue family was recently told by his doctor after many tests and scans that one of his kidneys was filled with cancer, and he would need surgery to remove the cancer along with chemotherapy and other types of treatments. We began to pray and during prayer before his surgery, my wife prayed and asked G-D to remove the cancer so that when the doctors began the surgery, they would not find any cancer and simply close our friend up and end the operation.

The day of the surgery arrived, and when they opened him up, they found no cancer, closed him up and he is now back worshipping with our family. This is just one of many, many examples of prayers being answered with miracles.

However, even knowing and experiencing those types of supernatural miracles, my answer to the question is that we are seeing miracles, signs and wonders. They are happening all around us every day. We just don’t seem to see them because our eyes and hearts are longing to see what we consider major miracles because our priorities and our grading system for miracles is vastly different from G-D’s.

Let me explain. G-D’s concern is with the eternal and our concerns tend to be with the temporal. When we think about great miracles, we tend to think about events such as the Ten Plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, healing a leper, raising the dead or maybe the feeding of the 5,000. Yet, not one of these miracles were what G-D would consider a major miracle. Why? Because all that those miracles accomplished was extending the temporal. There were those who were recipients of each of the above who never entered the eternal.

To clarify a little, let’s look at Luke 17:12-21:

As He entered a certain village, ten men with tza’arat (leprosy) came toward Him. They stood some distance away and raised their voices, saying, “Yeshua, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the kohanim.” And as they went, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back, glorifying God with a loud voice. And he fell at Yeshua’s feet, facedown, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Then Yeshua answered and said, “Weren’t ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Weren’t any found who came back to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Then Yeshua said to the man, “Stand up and go! Your faith has made you well.” Now when Yeshua was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be seen. Nor will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘There!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.

As we read this text, we find 10 men with tza’arat who are crying out for a miracle. Yeshua responded by healing all 10 of them and told them to observe the Torah and go show themselves to the priest to be declared cleansed. Yet, only one of them came back and glorified G-D. When Yeshua spoke, He asked him, “Weren’t ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” (v. 17). Yeshua then spoke directly to the healed man and said, “Stand up and go! Your faith has made you well.” (v. 19).

Notice the difference between being healed and being well. That is the difference between a temporal miracle and an eternal miracle. The nine lepers’ miracle happened on the outside; it was visible and could even be seen by looking at the outward man. The one leper had two miracles take place. The first one was outward, but the second one took place in his heart; it was only visible by his response to the miracle.

In John 14:12, we read a very familiar and often quoted passage: “Amen, amen I tell you, he who puts his trust in Me, the works that I do he will do; and greater than these he will do, because I am going to the Father.”

This verse speaks of those who put their trust or faith in Yeshua being able to do the miracles that He did, but it goes on to say “and greater they will do.” These words excite us as believers (and should excite us), but in order to understand what “greater works or miracles” are, we have to look at the context of these words. So, let’s look a few verses back so we can know the context.

“Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be” (John 14:1-3).

Notice that as this discussion between Yeshua and His disciples begins, Yeshua is speaking of His Father’s house and preparing a place. This text is not about the temporal world or temporal miracles; it is about the eternal kingdom.

The response of Thomas (one of the disciples) was: “Master, we don’t know where You are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5).

Yeshua’s response was: Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6b).

When the disciple asks about seeing the Father, Yeshua responds by saying:

“‘Have I been with you for so long a time, and you haven’t come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own; but the Father dwelling in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe because of the works themselves'” (John 14:9-11).

Look at verse 11 when Yeshua said if he could not believe in who He was, at least he should believe what he saw outwardly. It is those words that we often skip over to get to the line about doing greater things that are the point of this blog. Basically, Yeshua is saying to His disciples, “There is a miracle happening here, the eternal kingdom, and you can receive this eternal blessing.” But if you cannot believe for the eternal blessing, at least believe in the temporal ones. Remember that the 10 plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, healing a leper, raising the dead or maybe the feeding of the 5,000 all were temporal miracles, none of which brought people into the eternal kingdom. They only provided an open door to the kingdom.

Let’s look back at Luke 17:20-21: “Now when Yeshua was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be seen. Nor will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘There!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Yeshua is answering the Pharisees concerning the Kingdom of G-D. Notice Yeshua’s answer is that the kingdom doesn’t come with signs to be seen. It is within your midst.

So, while I long to see miracles, signs and wonders, the ones I am most longing for are not when people are healed; they are when people are made well. I would rather have a congregation filled with people whose hearts have been changed than a congregation who is seeing healings take place every week with no one getting well. The greatest miracles are not raising lost men from the dead because those men can die a second time still lost. The greatest miracles are seeing men die to self and be born again. As we read in Romans 6:3-5:

“Or do you not know that all of us who were immersed into Messiah Yeshua were immersed into His death? Therefore we were buried together with Him through immersion into death—in order that just as Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become joined together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also will be joined together in His resurrection—.”

So, while we may not be seeing the “power” or seeing physical “signs, wonders and miracles” every day, we are seeing hearts change and people enter the eternal kingdom. Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 and 8-10:

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing. …

Love never fails— but where there are prophecies, they will pass away; where there are tongues, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is partial will pass away.

The temporal miracles of tongues, prophecy, mysteries, knowledge and moving mountains are nothing in comparison to that which is perfect, the eternal kingdom. And in a world dealing with a pandemic, locusts, fires, riots and many other natural and man-made catastrophes, we need the eternal kingdom more than ever.

Eric Tokajer is author of 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.

Author Jack Holmes has been following the leading of the Holy Spirit since his mid-20s. At age 92, that makes 6 ½ decades of living a Spirit-filled existence—a life he says he can’t imagine others would do without.

That’s especially true, Holmes says, in the chaotic world in which we live today.

“I am always praying that the Holy Spirit will help people to really see that is about Jesus today and that we are supposed to be doing what He did,” Holmes told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. “The way He lived, that’s how we are also supposed to live. Jesus must be our model.

“The Holy Spirit filled Him with His Father, and now the Holy Spirit will fill us both with the presence of the Father and the Son. That will help us battle the things that are going on in today’s world.

“I think we’re in the battle of the end of Revelation, and our government is so filled with demonic presence. … But what do we have? We have Jesus, and He was a total manifestation of His Father. We’re supposed to be doing the same thing today.

“If you look at the heart of the country, it needs to be changed. The Holy Spirit needs to be working through the churches. For 50 to 60 years, my prayer every day is that ‘Lord, I’m on the cross with You today.’ And being crucified with Jesus is probably one of the most important messages we need for people to be changed into the image of Jesus.”

For more on Jack Holmes and his book, Jesus: Son of God—Son of Man, Jesus Is Our Pattern, listen to the entire podcast.

God helps those who help themselves. True or false?

Maybe both?

Is God moved by need? No.

If God were moved by need, then every need would be met.

Does the Bible say, “God helps those who help themselves?”

The answer: No. God helps those who help themselves is the most-quoted Scripture verses that is not in the Bible.

—82% of people believe it is in Scripture.

—25% of people believe it was one of the Ten Commandments.

—50% of people believe it is a central theme in Scripture.

—Is a half-truth in correlation to the Bible.

“God helps those who help themselves” traces to 604 B.C. and Greek storyteller, Aesop.

The quote resurfaced through Benjamin Franklin in 1757.

God Won’t Do What You Can Do

There are times we can help ourselves. Why should God do for us what we can do for ourselves?

Other times, we are unable to help ourselves, and God prompts others to help us.

God not only helps those who help themselves, but He helps those who help others.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:44–45).

The Scripture is clear. God provides, blesses and helps everyone.

The Scripture is also clear about whom God helps.

God Helps Those Who Obey Him

Joshua walked around the city of Jericho for seven straight days. God’s promise bordered on insanity. No one ever witnessed walls falling straight down to the ground. It resembled a modern-day demolition.

The story is ridiculous and miraculous.

Now Jericho was tightly secured before the children of Israel. There was no one leaving or entering.

The Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho, its king, and mighty men of valor into your hand. All the men of fighting age shall march around the city. Circle the city once. Do this for six days. Seven priests shall carry seven ram’s horn trumpets before the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When they blow a long blast on the ram’s horn and when you hear the trumpet sound, all the people shall shout a loud battle cry. The walls of the city will fall down, and the people will go up, every man straight ahead.”

So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant. Seven priests bearing seven ram’s horn trumpets shall be in front of the ark of the Lord.”

Did this happen? Yes. Two of our points are validated: God helps the obedient and those who believe. This instruction from God was over the top. But God honors faith and obedience.

God Helps Those Who Use Their Faith

What does it profit, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but has no works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and lacking daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” and yet you give them nothing that the body needs, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

But a man may say, “You have faith and I have works.”

Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:14-18).

The Word commands us to meet the needs of the needy. The church has been notorious for only praying and sending people away in hunger or need.

God is a giver. His Word commands us to meet the needs of others. People with need of food or clothes are looking for both prayer and help.

We can do better.

One of our struggles is why God doesn’t meet every need.

Need Does Not Motivate God

There is need everywhere. Faith moves God. God helps those who use their faith in His name. Men such as Abraham. Abraham believed in God and His power.

God helped Abraham because of his belief and not because he had a need.

“Therefore the promise comes through faith, so that it might be by grace, that the promise would be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” (Rom. 4:16).

Abraham’s Need Was Great

Abraham wanted a child. Abraham desired to be a father and raise his children. He did not complain to God about his situation. He called out to God to meet his need, and he believed God could do it.

This was the key to Abraham’s breakthrough. God met Abraham at the tipping point of his faith and not at the point of his need.

God Helps the Just and the Unjust

“that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45).

God is just. Many believe God is unjust. Both the believer and the unbeliever share the same sunshine. We both share the beauty of a full moon.

The earth is the Lord’s; it is not our earth. We share the earth with God, and He shares His goodness with all.

God Helps Those Who Help Others

If a brother or sister is naked and lacking daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” and yet you give them nothing that the body needs, what does it profit?” (James 2:15).

We have learned to look away from those in need. The homeless tell us, “they feel invisible.”

People look around them or through them. The interests of others ought to be an interest of ours.

“Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).

It is easy to see the meaning of “The Lord helps those who help themselves” is taught in the Bible. We see it throughout the Scriptures.

We can also conclude that when we help God, we help ourselves.

So the next time you hear someone say, “God helps those who help themselves,” remind them the Bible also says, “God helps those who help others.” {eoa}

Thomas McDaniels is a pastor/writer and the guy behind . He has written for and currently is a contributing writer for Fox News. He is also the founder of and the Longview Dream Center in Longview, Texas. Thomas can be found on social media, Instagram and Twitter.

If there’s one thing that concerns Mary Colbert about the COVID-19 crisis, it’s that the church seems have put more trust in science and the government than it has in its Savior, Jesus Christ.

In times like these, the founder of Nation Builders, a popular and successful national prayer line, says the church should be walking without fear and trust that Jesus is watching our backs instead of living in a daily panic mode like the rest of the population. If you’re a true believer, it should be a mandate.

Colbert says she and her husband, popular doctor and bestselling author Don Colbert, have continued to travel and to walk fearless through the pandemic.

“We’ve had no fear whatsoever; as a result, it pretty much has not disrupted our life much at all,” Mary told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of Greenelines on the Charisma Podcast Network. We’ve been to Canada, New York, California, Dallas. I’ve been on a plane about 15 times during this whole coronavirus outbreak. We haven’t missed a lick.

“We have been just going about our life, totally normal and trusting the Lord. I know that not everybody has been or can be doing that. Don and I both are concerned as to the amount of fear the church is operating under. On March 15 when President Trump announced that everything was shutting down. I tweeted out that churches shouldn’t shut down. If anything, they should meet in their cars in the parking lot, because this shouldn’t have stopped the gathering of believers. It’s unfortunate because we’re supposed to be leading the charge and not the government. I’m afraid that the body of Christ is that they trust science more than they do their faith. And that’s concerning to me as a person of faith. …

“Something is at work here, and the church needs to be as wise as serpents. We need to get our discernment sharpened in the ways that you are going to be able to hear the voice of God. Each person is going to have to begin to learn to hear that voice. He said, ‘My sheep know My voice, and they do not obey.’ So, we’re entering into a season and time that it’s very critical that every believer begins to sharpen their ability to hear and to know what is real and to know what is not real and to be navigated by the Holy Spirit and not the spirit of antichrist.”

For more about how the church needs to sharpen its discernment, listen to the entire podcast.

For part one of this two-part article, click here.

The apostle Paul discusses power with the Ephesians, the church his spiritual son, Timothy, was overseeing:

“And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power (dunamis) in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength (kratŏs)” (Eph. 1:19, AMPC).

For Paul, the greatest display of God’s power, or that the world has ever seen, is confirmed through the resurrection of Christ (Eph. 1:20), and Jesus, who is now enthroned—on the basis of God’s power—over all of the universe.

Therefore, at the center of this prayer for the Ephesians in chapter 1, Paul desires that they would realize and know God’s Resurrection power that is available for their daily use.

“Mighty strength” in this verse comes from the Greek “κράτος (kratŏs), krat´-os; perh. a prim. word; vigor [“great”] (lit. or fig.):—dominion, might [-ily], power, strength.”

The word especially signifies exerted strength and power demonstrated in a reigning authority. It primarily refers to God’s kingdom authority, dominion and majesty. It is God’s dominion, manifested power and strength. Kratos is also used in Ephesians 3:20 and 6:10.

Too many Christians today, as well as in Paul’s day, are unaware this power is there and available. We are the dwelling place of God, the very temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16), We must learn to live from this reality!

It takes fresh revelation and wisdom to observe God’s power. The very fact that so many say they “don’t see God’s power” at work is even more reason this prayer is needed—the church must see what is occurring now.

Our confidence is in Christ, in His power and dominion. As we recognize our authority as a believer and begin to walk in the fullness of Christ, we impact our world. It is about surrender and consecration to the Lord.

Love

Love is from the Greek ἀγάπη, (agapē) “love: esp. brotherly love, charity; the love of God for man and of man for God.” It can also mean “love feast.”

Paul writes the Ephesians, ” I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints” (Eph. 1:15, NKJV).

Notice faith and love in this verse; they are pillars to Christian character and to walking in His power. Faith and love had grown to such a point in the Ephesian church that they were being discussed abroad. There was a great revival and power in that city (see Acts 19), but it was their faith and love that were being discussed.

Paul told the Galatians “but faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6b). Faith needs love to function properly—love fuels faith! Faith working through love overcomes fear and timidity.

As a pastor, I desire a church united, walking in the surpassing greatness of His power. It begins with faith and love. Honor toward each other and to everyone.

Paul wrote Timothy earlier, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5, NASB).

To walk in His power begins here, with love, purity and sincere faith. The church would be transformed if the body of Christ resolved to keep this primary goal of growing in faith and love.

A worthy goal is for others to hear of the great things God is doing in our midst as a church; however, we must be known for the right reasons—and it starts with faith and love. We should be known for deeds of love and acts of faith.

Disciplined or Sound Mind

Self-discipline (or sound mind) is from the Greek σωφρονισμός (sōphronismos) and means “exercise of prudence, moderation, self-discipline, prudence.“ In this verse, the intent is that the Spirit functions in such a way that Christians learn to exercise prudence. To exercise prudence means to use wisdom.

Paul says God gives us self-discipline, or the exercise of prudence or wisdom. Sometimes we say, “Well, I’m not very disciplined!” That’s an ungodly belief! The Spirit empowers us to function in God’s love, power, discipline and wisdom.

An important aspect to possessing wellness of soul is to embrace a lifestyle that is disciplined, operating in prudence and wisdom. In other words, we participate with the Holy Spirit in spiritual disciplines as well as being disciplined in all areas of life. We are good stewards of our time, treasure and talents. We take care of our bodies and minds. We choose to live healthy lifestyles, getting proper rest, nutrition and exercise.

When I was a young Christian, I began to focus more on spiritual disciplines than in maintaining a healthy lifestyle complete with exercise.

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8, MEV).

I read Paul’s instruction to Timothy as “exercise was bad!” No, Paul is trying to give Timothy, and us, proper balance—both are needed. Making positive lifestyle changes, eating healthy, exercising routinely, refusing negative thinking and so forth all begin with proper thinking and attitude. Paul encouraged the Philippians:

“From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9, CEB).

As we choose to keep our minds uncluttered and focus on what is pure, true and admirable as Paul describes in Philippians 4:8-9, we put into practice self-disciplined thinking that will affect our behavior and keep us in wellness of soul! {eoa}

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

In the fall of 2019, I was seeking the Lord, asking what He was saying for 2020 and for this season of the church. One of the words that God gave me was that this season will be a time for the “restoration of the company of prophets.”

Prophets are so special to the Lord. Psalm 105:15 says, “Do not touch my anointed ones, and do no harm to my prophets.” And Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Lord God does nothing without revealing His purpose to His servants the prophets.”

While looking through both the Old and New Testaments, I saw that prophets carry the burden of the Lord for individuals, cities and nations. As I looked in today’s church world, I saw most prophets operating as individuals.

Let me first say that each prophet has individual assignments and callings from the Lord that they need to fulfill. But the more I study Scripture, the more I see that the highest calling of a prophet is to be part of a company of prophets

The Lord spoke to me saying He has assignments for the company of prophets that only He can give. Certain assignments are for individuals, and some are specific for the company of prophets.

What assignments have we missed out on because the enemy and our internal warfare have kept us prophets from becoming one with each other? There always seems to be weird warfare, especially a covenant-breaking spirit, that comes against prophets from gathering together and loving each other well. But it is crucial we come together as a company of prophets.

I am so encouraged by some of the “next-gen prophets” God is raising up. They are wanting to see unity in the church and in the prophetic movement. Part of this restoration of the company of prophets that will happen is fulfilling Malachi 4:5-6. It says, “See, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreaded day of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

This was one of the Bible verses God placed over my life. Years ago, I began imagining what this would look like. And when God asked me to start International Young Prophets, my passion became to see older seasoned and younger emerging prophets “run together.” What does that even look like, and how does it work together with the restoration of the company of prophets?

Generations running together in heart and purpose is extremely important to the Lord and to me. In our ministry, we have different streams and generations of the prophetic who are part of our leadership team. We are modeling the restoration of the company of prophets. But there will be attacks in the areas of our lives God has called us to serve and build.

However, we are to continue running in God’s calling and mandate. I remember when I was younger that I would have older women jealous of me and speaking against me. It was an assignment of the enemy to make me bitter against the older generation. But I decided to still turn my heart toward them in love and honor.

Two people have impacted my life tremendously in recent years who understand my calling, who are willing to walk with me and truly live generationally. They are Patricia King and Bishop Bill Hamon.

I have intentionally watched their lives and how they interact with others, particularly the things that I share with them about the vision that God has given me to be a pioneer for “the company of prophets.” Patricia King is the most Christlike person I know. She has the biggest mother’s heart that nurtures anyone under her care.

I sometimes get busy building the vision God has given me and then get stuck. But I can call Patricia, and often within five minutes, she will give me God-inspired encouragement and insight to help me move forward. She is a true apostle and mother who turned her heart to the next generation.

Dr. Bill Hamon is an amazing bishop and wonderful example of a father in the church. I remember sitting down with Bishop Hamon one day and sharing my heart about building what God was speaking to me. I was asking Bishop Hamon questions about the company of prophets because if anyone knew about prophets, he would. He has been in ministry for 66 years, weathering many storms while building the prophetic movement. Bishop Hamon is known as the father of the modern-day prophetic movement.

As I sat and shared my heart that day, it was as though he were finishing my sentences. I can’t explain it as anything except supernatural. It was as if he had been where I was going. I found someone who “got me” and shared the same passion for the “company of prophets.”

Also, I discovered that Bishop Hamon had received the same vision and commission for God’s company of prophets in 1983 and in 1986, which he wrote about in his book, Prophets and Personal Prophecy.

Even more, Bishop Hamon is so loving and kind that he won me over with the Christlike spirit he carries. He is a true father in the prophetic movement for so many of us.

Malachi 4:5-6 and fulfilling the “restoration of the company of prophets” go hand in hand. There has to be honor and a turning of hearts to each other. Without that, it is impossible to come into the fullness and intentions of the company of prophets Jesus has set up for the church.

My prayer is that prophets in this season be intentional with each other, loving and honoring one another. May our hearts be turned toward each other. And may we use our voice as blessings and not curses to others in different streams of Christ’s body

May we fulfill what is on Jesus’ heart in coming together to build “companies of prophets” all over the world. {eoa}

Elizabeth Tiam-Fook is the founder of International Young Prophets, an apostolic ministry called to serve the “office of the next-generation prophet.” She believes that God is raising up a company of young prophets to impact the nations of the world with the Voice of God. She currently resides in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Have you noticed an increase in anger and frustration in our nation? The COVID-19 pandemic has unnerved many.

Excessive state-mandated lockdowns are being protested. Business closures and layoffs have inflamed others. To be sure, there is reason for concern; 36 million people are now unemployed in the U.S.

Inadequate coronavirus testing and contact tracing early in the pandemic frustrated many. Others are offended over the issue of whether to wear face masks—to mask or not to mask!

As followers of Christ, we are empowered to abide in His peace and joy, above the circumstances and frustrations of world conditions. After all, Jesus said “in the world [we would] have trouble” (John 16:33b, NIV). Individually, we choose whether we respond to negativity in life with faith, hope, and love, or respond with worry, fear, and anger. As James stated, “the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).

What is wellness of soul? I define it as the absence of unhealthy anxiety and fear, and the absence of negative thinking and emotions that displace us from God’s peace.

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he has some specific instructions for his spiritual son to help him maintain a strong faith and persevere through hardships he and the church at Ephesus were facing.

“Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Tim. 1:3-7, NLT).

After commending Timothy for having genuine faith, a faith observed first in his mother and grandmother, Paul instructs Timothy to “fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave” (2 Tim. 1:6b) him when he laid hands on him. To understand Paul’s charge, the context is important.

Paul, imprisoned for his second time, writes this letter to his protégé Timothy around A.D. 66 or 67. Timothy had become a son in the faith and one of Paul’s closest friends. Timothy converted to Christianity after Paul’s first missionary journey to Lystra (Acts 14:6-18).

By Paul’s second visit, Timothy had grown into a respected disciple of Jesus (Acts 16:1-5). Timothy would later join Paul for his other two missionary journeys. Paul eventually left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the church there (1 Tim. 1:3-4).

Paul wrote 1 and 2 Timothy just before his death by Roman Emperor Nero. The persecution against Christianity was severe. Nero blamed the Christians for the burning of Rome (historians attribute the cause of the fire to Nero), and was driven like a madman to arrest, torture and martyr many believers. These letters (1 and 2 Timothy) provided Timothy guidance, instruction and comfort during extremely challenging times.

Paul, after commending the faith of Timothy’s mother and grandmother, changes direction and tone. He specifically tells Timothy to act upon his genuine faith and instructs him to “fan into flames the spiritual gift” (2 Tim. 1:6b) imparted, and finally tells him, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7).

Timothy is charged with fanning into flames (or stirring up) the spiritual gift received. The text implies that as Timothy edifies himself spiritually, he will prevent fear and timidity from ruling him.

Some scholars believe Timothy was prone to timidity and Paul was trying to encourage him. The Greek word deilia translates as “timidity” in this verse and can also mean “cowardice.” Timothy needed courage to face the challenges of life in his time.

Keep in mind that Paul was Timothy’s spiritual father and mentor. He had a deep relationship with him and earned the right to speak into Timothy’s life. It is a mistake to speak this verse to others you have little or no relationship with, who might be struggling with worry or fear, and just tell them to renounce fear (or what you presuppose is fear—you could be judging them), to have more faith and so forth.

Everyone responds to life events differently—there is no one size fits all. Therefore, be careful of Christian cliché statements about fear and faith—it could be damaging to someone else. Paul discusses in Romans 14 and 15 that we should consider others and their faith; we do not want them to stumble or be offended because of our behavior.

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (Rom. 15:1-2, NIV).

From examining 2 Tim. 1:7, it seems clear that as we actively engage ourselves in the Spirit, stirring ourselves up through spiritual gifts, prayer and more, we begin to operate from His power, His love and His discipline or soundness of mind. These spiritual characteristics ward off thoughts of fear and overcome timidity with God’s courage.

Remember, Paul is giving Timothy instruction on how to lead the church in Ephesus. The times are tough; extreme persecution has erupted against Christianity in the Roman Empire. Paul is giving Timothy principles to overcome in trying times and how to maintain wellness of soul.

To say that we are living in a trying time is an understatement. Anxiety and frustration levels are high, and fear has gripped many.

Before I go further, do not make the mistake of labeling everything as “fear-based.” In other words, there is a healthy balance with faith and science—COVID-19 demonstrates this. We need to trust God, live in faith and believe for His supernatural protection, while at the same time adhere to proven scientific and medical guidance. To maintain a balance between faith and science does not mean we are given to “a spirit of fear.” Let me give you a personal example.

One year ago this week, I suffered a heart attack. I was living in faith, believing God for health, protection, prosperity and more. The heart disease was growing within, but I was unaware. I was not lacking faith; a health event occurred suddenly.

Science and modern medical practice saved my life that night as the hospital did emergency heart catheterization and placed two stents in my heart. Faith was at work through the medical procedure and during my recovery. There was an intersection of faith and science, a healthy balance between the two.

So, here we are in this coronavirus pandemic. Currently, there is no vaccine; therefore, all we can do, besides living in Christ, standing in faith and praying are the practical things science has proven to stop viruses and germs. You know them by now:

Do not leave home if you are sick. Wash your hands frequently. Do not touch your face with your hands. Stay at least six feet apart. Wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible. Avoid crowds if you are at risk and so on. Again, practicing these guidelines does not mean we are given to fear. Rather, we are proactively taking care of ourselves while trusting God for divine health and protection from the virus.

Again, using my heart attack as an illustration. In one year, I lost 40 pounds, began to eat healthy, exercise daily, get eight hours of sleep at night, take prescribed medications and more. But I had to change my thinking about how to live my life.

As my thinking changed, so did my behavior patterns, for example: what I ate, making sure I exercised daily and so on. Now I feel great, my blood pressure and blood work are right on target, and I do not fear having another heart attack. Why?

I trust God and I continue the proven medical practices to stay heart healthy. If I discontinue doing the practical, proven things to take care of myself, I will have reason to be concerned about another heart event.

Active faith (fanning into flame) begets God’s power, love and a disciplined mind. Wellness of soul can be achieved. Again, what is wellness of soul? I define it as the absence of unhealthy anxiety and fear, and the absence of negative thinking and emotions which displace us from God’s peace.

I have taught previously how to fan into the flame our faith and gifts. Here is a partial list:

• Maintain genuine intimacy with Jesus. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8, NKJV).
• Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17, MEV).
• Pray in the Spirit. “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18, NKJV).
• Worship routinely. ” Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16, MEV).
• Read God’s Word daily. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, NASB).
• Serve others. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10, NKJV).

As you fan into flames your faith, three things occur: a reliance on God’s power, a release of God’s love and a disciplined life.

Power (” but of power”). Power from the Greek: δύναμις (dunamis): miraculous power, might or strength. It is the same word used in Acts 1:8a (MEV): “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

Paul is telling Timothy, “You have received something: God’s miraculous power.” Be confident in God’s power at work through you!

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

…. “May the church never have a tombstone, but rather always burn a neon sign that lights up the caverns of darkness, the foggy streets of eternity, the forests of fear, and the oceans of obscurity. Its light should shine brightly, declaring, “Jesus Christ is Lord …

On Sunday morning, May 24, I awoke with a deep stirring. I heard the Lord speak to my heart, “Will they allow me in this time?”

As I prayed, it became even more clear that we are at a crossroads as a bride and church. Will we return back to what had been and how we did church before, or have we allowed this season to reset and change us? I feel so deeply in my spirit that there is so much more He is calling us to!

During this unprecedented season, the church has had to shutter its buildings to protect from a virus, but our light burns even brighter. A decree by a government or public official has never been able to stop the gospel.

Now, as so many churches prepare to reopen, could it be we now know how Jesus felt in Revelation 3:20 (NIV), “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” He too was locked out of His church. He knows what it means to be on the threshold waiting for the doorman. He has always simply desired to encounter His bride. Perhaps we have been given a gift to actually fellowship in the sufferings of Christ (Phil. 3:10).

Maybe our posture changes when we return. No longer can it be just about the production of the services, the comfort of the saints and the development of great systems. It must be about encountering “the one.” The James 4:8 (MEV) “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” promise.

Maybe, as we enter back in, we will invite Him to lead us into the buildings and church He establishes. We must then get out of the way and watch Him restore hearts, minds and bodies. His mandate has not changed, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, NIV). Could it be that we have learned that the church isn’t a building, but it’s hearts and minds wholly committed to the King of kings.

We must evaluate! Have we personally changed? Will we go back to our microwave services where there is little time for people to meet with the one who died for them? Or will we sit, wait and tarry as the disciples did in the upper room?

Will we allow Holy Spirit to awaken lives or ask Him to only visit twice a year on an encounter weekend or preplanned special meetings?

Will we cry out for more of Him or once again simply enjoy our prepackaged worship sets, tightly planned chorus bridges and just the right song to move our weary souls?

What if we asked Jesus what He desires? Maybe we have it wrong. Our motives are right, but what if we said, “Oh God, we move out of the way for You to have Your way.” Maybe it isn’t about just having amazing serve teams in place to meet the masses, but it’s about individuals being transformed by a deep encounter with a living God.

The cry from our Savior is still the same, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17).

Surely this quiet season we now find ourselves exiting has caused us all to focus once again on the cross of sacrifice and not the mirror of self. Joel 2:13-14 (MSG) says it best, “Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your God!”

I was reminded of an excerpt from our book, Rebuilding the Altar, over two years ago. “May the church never have a tombstone, but rather always burn a neon sign that lights up the caverns of darkness, the foggy streets of eternity, the forests of fear and the oceans of obscurity. Its light should shine brightly, declaring, “Jesus Christ is Lord, and He came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

This is the hour in which men must once again crawl to the altar of repentance and burn with a fire that cannot be extinguished. May eternity say of us, “These were the ones who grabbed ahold of the altar and held on to that which released them from the weight of their sin and pain! These were the ones who with unbated breath labored in the fields that were white unto harvest.”

The verdict is still out. Let’s let Him in! It might just change the next season of the church and world. {eoa}

You can go online today and purchase Pat and Karen Schatzline’s newest book, Restore the Roar or their book Rebuilding the Altar at .

Watch and listen to powerful messages by Evangelist Karen Schatzline by going to their YouTube channel, “Pat and Karen Schatzline” or click: