In a video released just before Pentecost, 2021, lead pastor and co-founder of Spirit Move Ministries Liberty Turnipseed shared a revelation of a word from the Lord for Floridians, starting at timestamp 7:25.

She believes the Spirit of God is moving mightily in Florida, and that has caused the devil to turn his attacks toward the intercessors of the state. Because of this, the remnant must arise, and generals of the faith must prepare themselves for a spiritual battle unlike anything they’ve experienced before.

The devil, Turnipseed says, is preparing to strike, and only by the support of the Spirit will men and women of faith be ready to fight back.

The Lord is saying, “You’re the standard,” and He’s raising you up to be the standard against the flood of the enemy as He prepares to pour out His glory in Florida, because we’re coming into the season of the rumblings,” Turnipseed says.

“So don’t be afraid but say, ‘Oh God, I will be the standard, and I will stand, and I will pray, and I will fight; and we will stop the flood of the enemy.’

“The enemy thinks he can gain some ground and he can stop all powerful God,” Turnipseed says.

“We’re in the birthing pains of Christ’s return, which means He’s preparing His people,” she continues. “He’s getting us ready because we have a job to do: to bring in souls.”

She decrees this prayer over the rising remnant that will operate in Pentecost power:

“Lord, I just lift up every intercessor every faithful Christian in Florida that is battling for their state. They know revival is going to come, it’s going to flow from their state, Lord. I lift up every single intercessor, Lord, every general, everyone who calls themselves a prayer warrior in Florida. Lord, I just release supernatural strength and I declare over them that they are the standard. They are the standard that the Lord is going to raise to defeat the enemy in Florida and defeat the games that he wants to play to stop the revival that’s going to come out of Florida.

“And Lord, I just lift them up to You, and I say give them a clarity, a vision; give them wisdom, let all distraction and offenses fall away in the name of Jesus Christ. And let Your will be done as they rise and they stand and they become the standard against the flood of the enemy in Florida. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

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Lead Pastor Daniel Kolenda and the Nations Church/Christ for all Nations team are thrilled to announce that world-renowned worship leader, Eddie James, will join them as the worship director and associate pastor at Nations Church, as well as the director of the forthcoming CfaN School of Worship.

Raised in the Church of God in Christ in Cleveland, Tennessee, Eddie James has deep roots in Gospel music. But his extraordinary musical talents opened doors for him in other streams of Christianity, allowing him to add many diverse “sounds” to his repertoire. The result is a style that is all his own and a leadership approach that fits the Nations Church and CfaN culture hand-in-glove.

Eddie James brings more than 25 years of experience and his entire team of musicians, singers and dancers to join the already stellar musical team, including music director Leonard Jones (formerly of MorningStar), worship pastor Jenny Weaver and outstanding worship leaders like Amber Brooks, Roy Fields, Andrea Hand, Christopher Griffin and many others.

James notes, “When you look at Acts 2, and later at the Antioch church, you see a picture of what I see the Holy Spirit doing today with CfaN and Nations Church. The nations were represented at Pentecost—Christ-followers literally poured out into the streets, sharing the gospel of a resurrected Jesus where the people were and in the languages they spoke. It wasn’t one culture or one sound. But it was one baptism of fire creating one family in God. My experiences have carved room in my heart for more than one sound. When I open my mouth, there’s no question I grew up in Black Pentecostal churches. But I hear the same Holy Spirit in all the styles that this church and the future worship school are already attracting. And this house is big enough for all of them. We need all of them if we’re going to reach the lost, hurting and broken people of Orlando and beyond. I think that’s a model not just for us as a community but for what God wants to do with His church as a whole. Nations Church is just the tip of the spear.”

The arrival of Eddie James adds even more energy to a movement that is already experiencing tremendous momentum. Though Nations Church only officially launches on Aug. 15, 2021, they have already seen more than 800 people come to Christ on the streets of Orlando, Florida, through their weekly outreaches. More than 200 people are meeting weekly in small discipleship groups across the city. Attendance at the weekly “Pre-Launch” prayer services has exceeded venue capacity. 115 families are moving from other cities around the United States and even from many nations around the world representing every continent. They are on track to start with a staggering 1,500 launch team members/volunteers, and the team is now preparing multiple venues for simultaneous services around the greater Orlando area!

The announcement also comes on the heels of the CfaN Evangelism Bootcamp “Initiation Trip.” The multi-city evangelistic campaign was the culmination of three months of intensive training, just one of the many evangelistic outreach events organized by Christ for all Nations and Nations Church. The results were staggering; in more than 1,100 individual outreaches, more than 316,000 decisions for Christ were documented during the three-week campaign, along with many testimonies of miraculous physical healings, broken addictions and spiritual deliverances

James notes, “There’s a real alignment of vision. I started a ministry called Dream Works in the early 2000s because God kept putting young people, often drug addicts, with no place to go, in my path. At one point, I had sixteen young men sleeping on my living room floor! Over the years, many of those kids have become my touring band or our dance team. It’s a lot more than a road act— we’re a genuine family. Now, we have homes ministering to these young people in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee—and soon Orlando, Florida. Daniel Kolenda, CfaN and Nations Church all have that same authenticity.”

James and his ministry team will relocate from Cleveland, Tennessee, to Orlando, Florida, in September 2021. The CfaN School of Worship is slated to launch in August of 2022. To learn more about CfaN and the evangelism bootcamp, visit . To learn more about Nations Church, visit . {eoa}

Foundations of Prayer

Simply put, intercession is taking hold of God’s will and refusing to let go until His will comes to pass. As intercessors, we need this spiritual grit factor—tenaciously holding on to the promises of God in prayer until we see His will accomplished. To this end, we need to be reminded of three important foundations of prayer. These will prepare us for the deeper places God wants to take us in intercession.

1. You need to ask.

John Wesley once said, “It seems like God is limited by our prayer life—that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.” This may seem backwards, but it’s true. Because of the fall, Satan became the god of this world. God had given Adam and Eve authority over the earth, but they gave their authority to Satan when they sinned (see Gen. 1:26-27, Ps. 8:6, Luke 4:6, 2 Cor. 4:3-4, 1 John 5:19). This means God is not running everything in this world; He does not have everything under His control.

Because of this, Jesus came as the second Adam. Through His death, burial and resurrection, He triumphed over Satan. Then He gave the authority He won back to His church and told us to establish it on the earth in His name (see Matt. 28:18-20). For God to do what He wants to do, we have to enact the authority Jesus won for us in prayer. Prayer is the open door God needs to release His will on earth (see Matt. 7:7-8, 11; 18:19; John 14:13, 15:16, 16:23). We have not because we ask not (see James 4:2).

2. He hears you when you pray.

Proverbs 15:29 tells us, “The Lord … hears the prayer of the righteous.” We are the righteous because we are new creations in Christ. We have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (see 2 Cor. 5:21). Because of this, we can say with the apostle John, “This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). We must not lose hope in prayer. When we pray, we must engage our faith, holding firmly to the truth that God hears us when we pray.

3. He answers you.

God promises that when we call out to Him, not only will He hear us, but He will answer us (see Jer. 33:3). “So if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have whatever we asked of Him” (1 John 5:15). When we pray, we will never get God’s voicemail or a busy signal. He is always available, always eager to engage with us in conversation. The key to laying hold to God’s answers in prayer is found in James 1:6, which tells us that we must pray in faith, not doubt. When we pray in faith, God will answer us.

Listen to the latest episode of The Purpose Project with Margie Fleurant on Charisma Podcast Network, titled Prayer for the Salvation of Friends and Family, where Margie shares principles and Bible verses to empower you as you pray for your loved ones.{eoa}

Nigerian televangelist, prophet, philanthropist and megachurch pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua has died one week shy of his 58th birthday, his ministry announced on Sunday. Born June 12, 1963, he died June 5, 2021, shortly after presiding over a program at The Synagogue Church of All Nations, the Lagos-based megachurch he founded.

Tired of lockdown? Ready to reassemble and gather for worship? So are some of your favorite worship artists!

Premier Productions reveals the worship event of the summer as Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe and Bethel Music featuring Brian and Jenn Johnson and Jonathan and Melissa Helser and more share the stage on tour for the first time ever in summer 2021. Dante Bowe and Brandon Lake of Bethel Music will join the tour for select dates, as well as Josh Baldwin, David Funk and Emmy Rose of Bethel Music.

After almost 15 months of minimal worship services, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe and Bethel Music are set to renew and reignite believers of all ages in the power of the Spirit. The leadership of Tomlin, Jobe and Bethel offers an atmosphere of passion and rejoicing, as their faith in the gospel is stronger than ever after one of the hardest seasons ever endured.

Fans can sign up for the exclusive presale now at this website. Fans who sign up will be entered in an extraordinary contest to win a four pack of VIP Experience Tickets to the location of their choice, including seats closest to the stage, Artist Meet & Greet and more. Other winners will receive free tickets and personalized videos from the artists.

“There is such an excitement and expectation to be together to worship Jesus after such a long and devastating year of loss,” says Jobe. “The anointing of the Holy Spirit is going to be so strong. I cannot wait to be together with everyone!”

“There is nothing comparable to worshipping with people in person again,” says Jenn Johnson of Bethel Music. “We are so excited to lead worship with our friends and worship God with over 10,000 people.”

This worship tour is more than a concert, but a triumph of the ability to worship together and celebrate the good side of a bad season. The 13-city amphitheater tour will kick off on in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and will stop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Austin, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina before the final show on Sept. 3 in Jacksonville, Florida. {eoa}

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Many will not understand this word. Only Spirit-taught saints will truly grasp it. An entire book could be written on this theme.

I woke up with this on my heart a couple of days ago, which is happening frequently to me, and I began writing it down. This theme is so critical in this hour that it will take a series of videos or another book to get it out.

When you receive a true revelation from the Spirit of truth, it sticks to you and stays with you, and it burns in your heart for days and weeks, because it is so real to you. The revelation is this:

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be a mighty, mighty church on the earth that shakes the powers of hell in any city or region. The world and government authorities are to fear and respect her greatly, and even be afraid to oppose her.

Behold Their Threatenings

There is a government official in our town of Windham, New Hampshire, who is harassing and troubling the church we’ve been attending recently (The Crossing Life Church). Windham has been on national news recently because we are rising up and challenging the voter fraud in our state. The leaders made a decision to purchase a large tent for our property to facilitate the harvest of souls that are coming in. People are getting saved and having encounters with the Lord. This town official is being unreasonable, unfair and restrictive in refusing to authorize meetings in our tent.

“And pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for not all men have faith” (2 Thess. 3:2)

When the overseer of this church told me the details of all this, I was fuming with righteous indignation. I mentioned to him that the church has great authority when it comes to matters like this.

Do you realize that the apostle Paul commanded a sorcerer to be struck blind when he attempted to hinder a hungry soul from receiving the gospel (Acts 13:6-12)?

Do you realize that buildings shook, and signs and wonders were released, and great boldness granted when the early church prayed corporately because they were being threatened by local religious authorities (Acts 4:29-31)?

When anyone comes against the gospel in any way and hinders the harvest, it is such a serious matter with God, and the church should exercise great authority. We are living in a day now in America where the church is being opposed, controlled and hindered as never before. We must arise in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and deal with this darkness and tyranny.

The Spirit of God witnessed to me very strongly about His original design and purpose for His church in this last hour, and the Lord’s great desire for this level of authority to be restored again to His corporate body. When I saw this light from the Word of God, I wanted to run around the house at 5:00 in the morning (my prayer time), because I was so excited!

This revelation is burning in me that I will have to unveil the rest of it via video later on today or tomorrow. Don’t worry, if you don’t catch these videos live, they will be on our YouTube channel. I am excited about this word and can’t wait to share and expound further on it. Those who love the Word and are Spirit-taught will explode. Your hearts will burn.

Heartburn

Fresh revelation like this has been so frequent that I’m producing videos and putting them on a new playlist on our Holy Fire Ministries YouTube channel. The playlist is called Heartburn based on Luke 24:32:

“They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the way and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'”

The local body needs to have a revelation of how heaven moves on behalf of the unified church who exercises its authority in these kingdom matters.

Here’s what the Holy Ghost is saying: The church must learn to assemble in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“‘‘Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness, by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus.’ When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:29-31).

Please share this and let the fire spread! More to come. {eoa}

Bert Farias’ books are forerunners to personal holiness, the move of God and the return of the Lord. They also combat the departure from the faith and turning away from the truth we are seeing today. The Tumultuous 2020s and Beyond is his latest release to help believers navigate through the new decade and emerge as an authentic remnant. Other materials/resources are available on his website, Holy Fire Ministries and YouTube channel. You can follow him personally on Facebook, his Facebook ministry page or Twitter.

There is a new breed of women rising on the earth. A new company of women brave hearts are emerging who carry an authority not given by man, but gained through personal victories.

These women have already been tested by the Pharisees of religion and been confronted by the seductions of the snake. They have already faced the powers of the age and have overcome. Most have remained unseen by the masses because they never sought the spotlight. They have been quietly exercising their spiritual muscle in the secret place and overcoming devils with an audience of one.

Yet they have been recognized by the hosts of heaven, for they have demonstrated not only strength of soul and purity of heart, but a distinguishing characteristic more commonly given to the warriors of old: valor.

“They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and were commanders in the army” (1 )

It is these mighty men of valor that history repeatedly commends for their valiant strength and strategic abilities to fight, as well as their fierce loyalty to the king. In an age when women were not invited into battle, it was these mighty men who received the privileges of rank, the honors of victory and the spoils of war. This pattern continued throughout the generations as women were relegated to the sidelines and deemed unprepared for battle and unfit for war.

But the days are now upon us when the battles are no longer about physical prowess or a competitive edge. The war is no longer between flesh and blood but between principalities and powers of the spirit. In this realm, women of valor are coming forth as special agents that have been held in reserve for the strategic warfare of our time. They do not listen to religious or politically correct spirits, for their zeal for the Lord is greater than their fear of men.

Their passion for purity is greater than their quest for recognition. The sword in their mouths is not for personal satisfaction, but for dismantling the strongholds of devils. They have been uniquely prepared for Jezebel’s last stand and are ready to overthrow her regime. Knowing her wiles and deceptions from personal battles, they have been trained and equipped for the strategic strike.

With childlike faith and a lion’s courage, these women of valor are fueled by a love for their king, and the king will not be denied His daughters’ victory.

There is no cause to question their strong boldness or their focused courage, for they are not motivated like Jezebel. Where Jezebel is jealous for her title, a woman of valor is zealous for her king. Where Jezebel strives to control, a woman of valor rests in her confidence. Jezebel seeks revenge on her enemies, but a woman of valor seeks restoration of the body of Christ. Jezebel is bitter towards authority and pursues her own platform, but a woman of valor celebrates God’s leaders and serves the people. Where Jezebel usually operates from a wounded soul, a woman of valor is compelled from a heart set free. Because these women of valor have already laid down their lives and seek no name, they cannot be bought, bribed or tempted by notoriety. Though they battle with the fine-tuned skill of a seasoned warrior, their walk of humility mantles them with unusual authority from above.

And it is these very these qualities for which Jezebel is consumed with contempt for these women of valor. Knowing their authority to crush the serpent’s head, Jezebel has sought to take their place and silence their voice. Accusing them of the very tactics she uses, her distractions and deceptions have now been exposed for their treacherous fraud. It is for this reason that heaven will use these daughters to strip Jezebel of her counterfeit robes and take back the stolen crown.

The first Jezebel was called out by Jehu, the Israelite king, but it was the eunuchs that her threw her to her death. Where many mighty men have challenged the authority of this lingering principality and spoken of her demise, it is the women of valor who have been given rights to destroy the devil’s lair and vanquish Jezebel’s reign over the nations. Being castrated of their God-given authority to speak for the king, these prophetic women of valor will take their place and be silent no more.

Not only will these women of valor be honored and celebrated for their place at the king’s table, some will rise up as mothers over nations to bring deliverance and healing to the land. They will be esteemed for their wisdom, counsel and courageous actions against those who threaten the king’s domain. Theirs will be the mark of Deborah, the prophetess, who foreshadows the kind of mothers that will be called to lead the charge and deliver nations.

“The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel” (Judg. 5:7).

These mothers of nations will exhibit fierceness in battle but a tenderness of soul. Theirs is a heaven-anointed combination of resolve and compassion, assertiveness and patience, boldness and meekness. It is for the generations to come that these women of valor and mothers of deliverance are being brought forth to disciple their children and their children’s children after them. It is the king’s good pleasure to welcome these women to His courts alongside the men to usher in this new era of kingdom prosperity and expansion.

It is time to recognize this company of women and call them forth. Their humble disposition has kept them hidden, and yet, it is the very selfless nature of their heart that is desperately needed in the battles of this age. The enemy has no hold and hell has no authority over those who walk in humility and purity of purpose. They are the ones religion would deem weak and inferior, but heaven calls them highly favored and worthy of their due.

As the first shall become last and the last shall become first, heaven now issues the charge for women of valor to come forward. Your time is now and victory is assured.

“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy (valiant) woman” (Ruth 3:11, ESV). {eoa}

Wanda Alger has been a field correspondent with Intercessors for America, is a recognized fivefold prophetic minister, speaker and is the author of several books including Prayer That Sparks National Revival and Moving from Sword to Scepter: Ruling Through Prayer as the Ekklesia of God. She and her husband founded Crossroads Community Church in 1998 where her husband serves as lead pastor. Follow her blog at

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A group of 117 people who work at Houston Methodist Health System has filed a lawsuit against the medical center, objecting to its policy of requiring employees and contractors to receive one of the COVID-19 vaccination—all of which were approved under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization—or risk losing their jobs, per the Washington Post.

Learn more in this exciting update from Charisma News content development director Jeff Struss:

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The purpose of this article is not to promote a particular viewpoint (such as a pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post-tribulation rapture) nor is it to promote a pre-wrath rapture perspective (nor a pre-, post- or a-millennial perspective).

Its purpose is simply to present what Jesus said would occur in sequence in Matthew 24:29-31. What He said is intended for us to understand and accept without theological prejudice. Some who read various passages such as the Olivet Discourse may not realize that they are reading it with their own bias. Yet essential biblical interpretation involves letting biblical writers set forth their view in the culture and time those passages were written.

The context of Matthew 24 is not insignificant. Jesus left the temple, and He does not return, at least as Matthew has reported it. Jesus was displeased with the religious leaders. They rejected Him and were about to lead the Romans to Him in order to have Him crucified. And he knew that a bitter fate awaited Jerusalem, just one generation later. The disciples, on the other hand, did not know this, nor could they.

So, in defense of the temple, they approached Him and called His attention to the splendor of the temple buildings (Matt. 24:1). After all, Zerubbabel and Ezra themselves had been deeply invested in the rebuilding of this temple (Ezra 6:15). Herod the Great had expanded the temple enormously, and even the emperor Titus (who would oversee its destruction in A.D. 70) considered it to be one of the wonders of the ancient world. For nearly a thousand years, Jewish life had centered on this temple. Jews swore by the temple (Matt. 23:16) and thought it blasphemy even to speak negatively of it (Acts 6:13).

So, Jesus replied to the disciples: “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down” (Matt. 24:2). Then he proceeded to the Mount of Olives outside the temple grounds and sat down. His disciples followed and joined him, asking three questions: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3).

Jesus answered the first question in Matt. 24:9-14, as he described to the audience what would occur between the ascension and the end of the age, which included the destruction of this second temple that stood before them. Jesus interpreted the coming of the Son of Man as the destruction of the second temple. He said, “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. Then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will rise and will deceive many. Because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Then Jesus answered the second and third questions in Matthew 24:15-31, revealing the sign given before the “second coming” and the end of the age, and referencing Daniel 11:31: “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place (let the reader understand) …” (Matt. 24:15). This editorial comment, “let the reader understand,” places the event in the time of the ancient reader. Though Jesus’ prophecy is echoed by the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, the timing of his prophecy was pertinent to those actually reading Matthew and Mark just after these Gospels had been written.

The abomination of desolation is the main sign, along with their warning to flee in Matthew 24:16-20. It is the consummation of everything in Daniel 9:27. Antiochus Epiphanies (a second century B.C. Syrian king who fought vehemently against the Jews) served as a type of anti-Christ, whom we read about in Daniel 11:31. The abomination of desolation serves as the indicator of the end of the age in Daniel 12:11. It marks the revelation of the “man of sin” in 2 Thess. 2:3-4, and it is related to the image of the beast in Revelation 13:14-15. After that, the sign of the Second Coming occurs as “lightning” in Matthew 24:27 and 30. These materials run across the synoptics and refer to the same event.

It is helpful that Jesus prefaced His chronology of end-times events with the warning that someone might deceive them in some way with respect to them (Matt. 24:11). After all, not all seven tribulation and millennial viewpoints listed above can be true. In addition, charlatans will try to manipulate this passage for their own selfish purposes. So, Jesus tells them that He will be clearly seen by all who are alive at the time of His return, just as lightning flashes from the eastern skies to the west (Matt. 24:27). Only those who do not understand this passage might be candidates for deception.

The synoptic Jerusalem passages are important to compare and contrast because Luke brings clarity, quoting Jesus in saying: “I tell you, on that night two men will be in one bed; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding grain together; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; the one will be taken and the other will be left.” They asked, “Where, Lord?” He replied, “Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (Luke 17:34-37). Both Matthew and Luke mention ἀετοὶ, meaning “vultures.” Though some people prefer the term “eagles,” eagles are a type of vulture, part of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey with strongly hooked bills, and do not gather.

Furthermore, Greek words have a semantic range that needs to be captured in English translation, and context is crucial to determining which translation provides the most suitable meaning. In this instance, the Greek means “vultures,” which is most suitable.

Jesus treats the taking away event as a judgment, and the one left behind as the one who is spared—which runs contrary to how the majority of the church today reads this passage in popular, Western Christian culture. Also, he places the event before the Second Coming (Matt. 24:30). Jesus’ chronology leads the audience to the gathering of the chosen ones in Matthew 24:31: ἐπισυνάξουσιν τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς (episynaxousin tous eklektous, meaning “they will gather together the elect” or “chosen ones”). Certain implications present themselves and are present within the Bible itself:

First, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, ‘the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken'” (Matt. 24:29).

Second, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven. And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30).

Third, “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet” (Matt. 24:31a).

And fourth, “And they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (Matt. 24:31b). This appears to be a gathering of the chosen ones who are already in the heavens.

Rather than over read what Jesus said, let’s focus on what He said specifically through the interpretation of the Gospel writer himself. And let’s be of an agreeable spirit in the body of Christ without forcing our interpretations on others, as we stay aware of the sign of Jesus’ return—which all who are alive at that time will see and must prepare for.

We have entered uncertain times today, and we need spiritual unity to get through these difficult times. Taking to heart what Jesus said will help us not only to prepare for these times at hand but also for what may (or may not) be imminent. We can prepare by changing our minds about lifestyles that fall short of biblical standards of life and conduct—by righting the wrongs we have committed against others, by taking on a joyful disposition regardless of circumstances and by obeying Scripture in all things as best we know how.

This necessitates daily prayer and meditation on God’s Word. {eoa}

James F. Linzey studied church growth under C. Pete Wagner, and signs and wonders under John Wimber, at Fuller Theological Seminary. He ministered under Wimber on the Anaheim Vineyard’s Large Ministry Team, and is the chief editor of the Modern English Version (MEV) Bible.

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Hearing God’s voice today is a very natural act, but it requires the activity of a supernatural God. Scripture is clear that there is a reward for waiting upon the Lord, but have you ever wondered if He is waiting upon you?

“Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).

There is no automatic-pilot setting that guarantees that you will hear. One truth is that if you do nothing, you will receive nothing. But the seeming opposite is also true: When you least qualify and least expect it, God shows up.

While I emphasize that all good things come by grace, I also teach that we must add works to our faith to be effective (see James 2:26). These are two sides of the same coin.

Hearing God’s voice today includes some basic do’s and don’ts, but it is not about a list of deeds to be done out of religious obligation.

Hearing God’s life-changing voice is an amazing privilege based on a loving relationship with our heavenly Father. It is a delight and an honor, not a religious act built on some performance-based acceptance but rather an invitation into a deeper relationship.

Three Key Invitations

The revelation and practical keys found in Proverbs 8:32-35 has guided my life with Papa God for many years. They can also provide you with tools, as well, when it comes to this relational art form of communing with God and hearing His voice today.

“Now therefore listen to me, O you children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it. Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor of the Lord.”

There are three great keys contained in this one passage of Scripture.

All three of these verbs are listed in an on-going active tense:

— Listening.

— Watching.

— Waiting.

Some think these words represent a passive posture, but I disagree. The activities of listening, watching and waiting take much focus and attentiveness.

Gaze upon your beloved. Silence the beast of your mind that wants to flit all around!

Direct the posture of your heart into adoration, and then you will be drawn into the very chamber room of His presence. As you draw nearer to Him, He will draw nearer to you, and you will hear even His whisper!

In the Life of My Bride

One of my fondest memories of my time with Michal Ann happened in the last three months of her life on this side of heaven. I remember the early morning when, in her weakened state, we sat together in our rocking chairs on the front porch of our southern house, drinking organic green tea.

We said nothing the entire time; we just listened.

“Just listened? To what?” You might ask these questions.

Oh, we listened to the sounds of silence.

We listened to the morning dew glistening on the grass. We listened to the sun rising. We watched the rays of light melt away the fog on our pond at a distance down the hill.

This was her country way of living, and this was her life. Listening, waiting and watching for the very movement of the dove of God.

As we sat there together in silence, instead of doves, we had over 20 hummingbirds come soaring in together to drink nectar from their favorite fountain that Michal Ann had waiting for them. What a rare site!

But that unusual morning while listening, waiting and watching in silence, over 20 hummingbirds, her favorite of God’s little creatures, came to serenade us together. This is a memory I will always cherish.

A Vision of a Chess Board

On a recent, beautiful Sunday evening in May, I had to honor of speaking at Prayer on the Square in downtown Franklin, Tennessee. How delightful to join Bishop Marvin Young II, Papa Don Finto, Minstrel Michael Card and others in a public display of worship, prayer and praise! I was honored to be the keynote speaker.

As I prepared for the event, pondering my assignment of “Prayer unto Revival,” I was given a vision of a chess board.

The Holy Spirit asked me a a few interactive questions. “Who is waiting on whom?”

I did not respond quickly to the question but rather remained in my posture of listening, waiting and watching.

His reasoning voice continued, “Are we waiting on God or is He waiting on us?”

As I remained in worship, I continued to gaze upon the vision of the chess board, wondering what was about to happen, an urgency came upon me, followed by a stronger voice from the Lord. “It’s your move!”

I had more than my word for that evening for the Prayer on the Square, I had a now word for the days in which we live. “It’s your move!”

While Waiting, Keep on Listening

So, yes, keep on listening. When you take time to shut the door and commune with God, you will hear wonderful words of life—wonderful words meant for you and you alone.

In order to hear God, you must use the key of being so focused on Him that everything else fades into the background.

As you ponder the lesson found in Mark 9:7-8, you will understand exactly what I am talking about. “Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.’ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus only.”

Take time to listen to Him; “It’s your move!”

A Prayer to Sit at His Feet

Father, in Jesus’ great name, I thank You for graduate-level classes that are available for me in the school of the Spirit. Impart to me greater grace to enjoy these spiritual privileges. I count it an honor and blessing to be welcomed into Your presence, to sit at Your feet and listen to Your every word. Help me to be a good steward of these truths. Amen and amen! {eoa}

Dr. James W. Goll is the founder of God Encounters Ministries. He is an international bestselling author, a certified Life Language Coach, an adviser to leaders and ministries and a recording artist. James has traveled around the world ministering in more than fifty nations sharing the love of Jesus, imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. He has recorded numerous classes with corresponding curriculum kits and is the author of more than fifty books, including The Seer, The Prophet, The Discerner, The Lost Art of Intercession and Praying with God’s Heart. James is also the founder of GOLL Ideation LLC, where creativity, consulting, and leadership training come together.

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