Judicial Activism Empowers the Demonic

This week, a panel of judges decided the fate of an undocumented teenager and her unborn child. This undocumented, unaccompanied minor is a citizen of a country in Central America where abortion is illegal. Representing her in court, the ACLU argued that this undocumented minor has the right, under the United States Constitution, to access to abortion. After winding its way through several courts, on Tuesday an appeals court in Washington, D.C., upheld a lower-court ruling and overturned another circuit court ruling. As a result, the teen had the abortion yesterday.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton clearly described the legal error in this case: “The ruling that paved the way for the abortion violated longstanding Supreme Court precedent on the rights of an unlawfully present person. Even the Obama administration’s Department of Justice acknowledged that unlawfully present aliens without substantial connections to the country lack the same constitutional rights as citizens. This ruling not only cost a life, it could pave the way for anyone outside the United States to unlawfully enter and obtain an abortion. Life and the Constitution are sacred. We lost some of both.”

Judicial activism that empowers the shedding of innocent blood empowers the demonic. This is why we must pray to uphold the Constitution.

There is power in the blood. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, “And according to the law almost everything must be cleansed with blood; without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” This verse refers to blood shed through sacrifices in the Old Testament and the shedding of Jesus’ blood at the cross. The blood of Jesus saves, making forgiveness and regeneration possible; the shedding of blood for demonic reasons leads to condemnation. The blood of Jesus releases and frees; the shedding of innocent blood for evil purposes destroys and enslaves.

The Trump administration’s actions in the case have supported life in various critical ways, including their policy of not facilitating abortions for undocumented minors in federal custody. Although the legal battle relating to this particular pregnancy is over, the issue of whether an undocumented minor has rights under the U.S. Constitution has not been settled. This is a matter that requires serious intercession. The “right” to abortion created by Roe v. Wade continues to cause destruction today. Our judiciary is a battleground both in the natural and the spiritual realms.

The demonic forces that receive power from the shedding of innocent blood will protect those (judges, in this case) who empower systems (our judicial system) to commit more destruction. This demonic protection could lead to increasing levels of darkness in our judiciary.

Time to pray:

We must repent of our national sin of abortion. “Therefore repent and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19).
Pray that the courts will protect life and rule against extending abortion to undocumented women: “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13).
Pray for the salvation of this young teen who has just had an abortion. “Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). {eoa}

Reverend David Kubal is the president and CEO of Intercessors for America (IFA). IFA equips and supports praying Christians to shape the nation’s history through prayer. As the president, his vision is to mobilize a multi-generational army of intercessors. To learn more, visit IFApray.org.

Reformation Fire: Why This 500th Anniversary Is Significant for Us Today

Five hundred years ago, on Oct. 31, 1517, German born Martin Luther (1483-1546) challenged the religious system of his day by posting his 95 Theses on a church door in Wittenberg. This one act ignited a flame that set things in motion to reform the Christianity of his day, thus beginning the Protestant Reformation.

This Reformation paved the way for us to experience the religious freedom we have today. Only once in every 500 years does a generation get the chance to celebrate such a milestone. As we reflect and look back at all of the spiritual territory that has been gained in the last 500 years, one must ask: “Why are we alive for such a time as this? What greater breakthroughs are ours to step into today so that for the next 500 years and beyond, people are walking in a greater inheritance in Christ?” Let’s learn more about how we can position ourselves to tap into the momentum of what God has done in the past so that we can be launched into a greater destiny.

Ignited

While Martin Luther (1483-1546) was midway through his semester at law school in a nearby town in Germany, he decided to journey home to visit his family. On July 2, 1505, he got caught in a thunderstorm and was nearly hit by a bolt of lightning. Fearful of his life, he called out to heaven and made the promise that if he was delivered from the storm, he would become a monk. His life was spared. Two weeks later, true to his word, he joined the Augustinian order. From November 1510 to April 1511, he journeyed to Rome and was disillusioned by the hypocrisy he witnessed going on within the Catholic Church. This seed of discontent with the Church would later grow. In 1512, Luther received his doctorate and then moved to Wittenberg to become a theology professor. In 1515, he studied Romans 1:17 and had the revelation that he was justified by faith. For the first time he began to realize his salvation in Christ was a gift and not something he had to earn. This book marked him so deeply that he eventually wrote a commentary on the book of Romans.

About a year later, Dominican priest Johann Tetzel came to his town to sell indulgences (penance and pardons to pay for sins). Luther was outraged at his approach and disagreed with certain premises behind this activity. The same night Fredrick the Wise was due to offer indulgences on All Saints Day on Oct. 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Castle Church door. His 95 Theses, also known as the Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, were translated from Latin into German, printed on the newly invented Gutenberg printing press, and then quickly spread throughout Europe.

Luther’s 95 Theses were not initially intended to be a refined amendment to the pope. Originally, this was an act of inviting people to debate over these issues within the Catholic Church. However, God breathed on his declaration for justice and it served to be the catalyst to set things in motion for the Protestant Reformation which in turn transformed a religious system. Luther later translated the Bible from Latin into German so that common people could read it in their own language. He gave people the opportunity to encounter God on their own from the Bible.

This reformation brought religious freedom and freedom from the religious spirit. It transformed a religious system and freed people to be able to worship God in spirit and in truth. Old wine skins were challenged; new wine skins were overflowing with the wine from heaven. A new paradigm for the church was released where the common person could now connect with God without having to go through a priest. The world is continuing to experience the ripple effects from Martin Luther following his convictions Oct. 31 and by his leadership throughout the Reformation.

Ripple Effect: The Great Awakening

Over 200 years later, on May 24, 1738, in London, John Wesley (1703-1791) “went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans.” In that moment, Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed” and was marked by the love of God like never before. Not long after this encounter, Wesley met with his community to pray and worship into the New Year 1739 where “the power of God came mightily upon” them. This gathering of hearts became the catalytic flame to ignite the Great Awakening. Following this outpouring, John Wesley and his brother Charles, later founded the Methodist Movement where they raised up, trained and launched many lay people into the ministry. Another new paradigm for church was born.

The Significance of Oct. 31

Nearly 400 years after the Protestant Reformation was birthed, Evan Roberts preached for the first time at Moriah Chapel in Wales on Oct. 31, 1904, the anniversary of the Reformation. When 17 people got saved that night, it was catalytic for the Welsh Revival, which brought in over 100,000 salvations in less than five months and would later influence the beginnings of the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in 1906. Oct. 31 marks the beginnings of two very significant and influential moves of God centuries apart, making this day a deep well of revival to tap into.

Momentum of the Ages

Luther’s act of following his convictions and not being afraid to challenge the status quo has continued to impact us 500 years later. The momentum has already begun. Martin Luther, the Moravians, John Wesley, Evan Roberts and many others have already paved the way for us to walk in great freedom today. This is not a new wave of revival but one that has been building for generations. The Reformation, The Great Awakening, The Welsh Revival and other moves of God are all contributing to the momentum of this upcoming billion-soul harvest, Third Great Awakening and new wave on the horizon.

What are we going to do today with the ground already gained on our behalf? How will we position ourselves to build upon the momentum that has gone before us? What further ground needs to be taken to advance God’s kingdom in our generation today so that it will set things in motion for the next 500 years ahead?

We are in a historic shift with this 500-year anniversary. God is calling us to a new level of holiness, consecration, connection, surrender and possession of the Holy Spirit. This is necessary so that this upcoming wave of revival will not crush us. It’s time to walk in purity, passion and total obedience so that when the swell comes, we are positioned to ride the biggest wave of revival this world has ever seen!

I encourage you, like Luther, to be courageous to speak out against injustices or what you know isn’t right. What you tolerate will dominate. Now is the time to take a stand for what you believe in. Step out and use the voice God has given you to communicate your heart. Generations are waiting for you to arise and shine. I bless you with courage to live from the depths of your heart today. May you be baptized in the love of God and be ignited with a fresh Reformation fire that burns deep within you today, all for His glory.

In Prayer, Chaplain Calls for ‘More Senators’ Willing to ‘Call Sin by Its Right Name’

Senate Chaplain Barry Black—known for his stirring prayers and speeches—delivered a powerful invocation calling for more politicians who, without regard for consequences, are willing to call out sin for what it is.

“Give us more senators who are true to duty as the needle to the pole,” Black prayed. “Give us more legislators who are not afraid to call sin by its right name. Lord, provide us with more patriots who will stand for right, regardless of the consequences.”

The prayer came just one day after Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) announced that he won’t be running for re-election next year and took to the U.S. Senate floor to issue some strong rebukes of President Donald Trump and the current state of political affairs.

For the rest of the story, please visit faithwire.com. {eoa}

How God Rocked the World of This Drug-Addicted, Depraved Valedictorian

Charlie was a high school valedictorian with a full scholarship to college when she found herself suddenly going down the wrong path—an unfortunate detour that included drugs, addiction, jail and plenty of other difficult roads.

After just two semesters at college, Charlie—a chemistry major with a minor in biology—dropped out and was heading into a life of drug use and confusion. At first, she started with cocaine, then she got hooked on pills, and the rest is history.

“My mom was the first person who gave me pills,” Charlie said in a recent appearance on Missy Robertson’s “The Overcomers” podcast. She noted that her mom taught her how to get the pills from doctors. “By the time I was 19, I was doing drugs every day. I would snort cocaine to stay awake and take pills to go to sleep.”

After leaving behind her life of promise, Charlie said that she placed no limits on what she’d do and how far she’d go, as she felt she was headed to hell either way.

“[I thought], If I’m going to hell, I’m going to bust hell wide open,” she said. “That’s just how I lived.”

Her path forward took many twists and turns, with Charlie finding herself addicted, confused—and in legal trouble. Amid the chaos were some truly close calls.

“I remember being so high on Ecstasy and morphine together … that I couldn’t move,” she told Robertson. “And I couldn’t even get any words out. I remember begging God in that moment, ‘Please don’t let me die like this.'”

Eventually, after facing legal ramifications and hitting her rock bottom, Charlie began to turn to God.

Her life came full circle and she left behind the negative behaviors she was engaged in. Now, she’s a staff member with Robertson’s company, Laminin, and she’s helping other women who face similar circumstances change their lives.

“Everyone needs second chances,” she said.

As Faithwire previously reported, Robertson is on a mission to help women “find a new purpose in life”—and she’s partnering with Faithwire to share the harrowing, tragic and ultimately uplifting stories of women—like Charlie—who have overcome the toughest odds.

Robertson owns a jewelry company called Laminin, where she employs women coming out of the sex industry, addiction and poverty, among other life issues. And in her new Faithwire podcast titled “The Overcomers” she’s taking listeners deep into some of these very personal stories. Check out episode one here.

{eoa}

This article originally appeared on Faithwire.

Are You Committing This Awful, Under-the-Radar Sin?

When Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, He had to contend with wild beasts.

“And He was there in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts. And the angels ministered to Him” (Mark 1:13).

I’m not even completely sure why this verse is in the Bible. None of the other gospel writers mention it. Perhaps Jesus needed angelic ministry to not only help Him overcome Satan, but to also to overcome the distraction of these wild beasts. The CEB translation states it this way:

“He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.”

These temptations and distractions were early lessons in Jesus’ anointed ministry. He had to set a standard for the coming church. As I said, in addition to facing great temptations, it appears that these wild beasts were also a distraction. When I think back on my own journey there were many distractions and early lessons, that had I failed to learn them, would’ve stunted my spiritual life, growth and calling.

I learned that if you can’t win in your personal life and home, you can’t win anywhere else. If you can’t overcome there, you can’t overcome in any other place. How are you going to conquer the world if you can’t even conquer your home? How will you serve others if you haven’t overcome your own issues? Many Christians never conquer their bad personal habits and demons. They never learn to cooperate with the grace of God and discipline their body’s appetites and crucify their fleshly lusts. The Spirit of God works with us and helps us, but we cannot override His principles and the laws He set in motion.

For example, here’s a qualification for an overseer that actually applies to all ministers:

“And one who manages his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence” (1 Tim. 3:4, MEV).

Simply put, you can’t lead a church if you can’t lead your own house. Many are disqualified from a ministerial leadership position right there on that note.

Ruling your corporate house is one thing, but ruling your house, as in your physical body, is yet another.

“But I bring and keep my body under subjection, lest when preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27).

The apostle Paul wrote that he would be disqualified if he didn’t rule and discipline his body. It’s the same principle today.

Here’s another one:

“An overseer then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2).

Compromise, Immaturity and Deficient Character

Most ministers are deficient in this character area, aren’t they? Such imperfect men we are, but as I said, the Spirit of God helps us in our infirmities as we cooperate with Him. He has chosen to use redeemed men, not necessarily perfect men. However, He will still not override His own character qualifications that He has established in His Word, especially for overseers and deacons. Maturity in character is a definite non-negotiable in the ministry. Why do we continually compromise it? It is because of the sin of presumption.

One of the definitions of this word is “transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.” The Word of God outlines boundaries and limits to what is permissible or appropriate. It is getting more difficult to find ministers who qualify for ministry based on these character qualifications. The epistle of 1 Timothy 3 lists them.

I’ve been in ministry a long enough time to see that we have greatly compromised this area. And this has led to so many of our problems, issues and scandals in the ministry. It has been embarrassing and brought great reproach to the work of God and the name of Jesus. The ministry road has been littered with casualties of men and women who were taken out because they could not overcome their flesh, the world and the devil in their lives and ministries.

None of us are above temptation. None of us can claim to be perfected or invincible. We are ever learning and ever growing. All of us have feet of clay and are subject to weaknesses and the flaws that are common to man. But none of that changes what the Lord has laid out for us in His Word. This should encourage us to avoid excuses such as “nobody is perfect,” “God understands,” “everyone does it,” “it’s not that bad” etc. There is forgiveness but no excuses.

Maturity is a must for serving in ministry. If you’re quick to repent and quick to forgive, and also quick to believe, you have a great advantage over most. That means your heart is soft and tender. It means you’re humble and teachable. It means God can work with you. You are workable material. But my experience has been that many ministers do not possess these qualities, so they are an easy target for the enemy. They don’t repent easily and quickly, they harbor unforgiveness and offense in their hearts, and they’re full of doubt and subtle unbelief.

Due to some of these issues, the truth is too many ministers live and die and never reach the first phase of their callings and ministries. That shouldn’t be. Why is it? What’s the bottom line here?

One of the big reasons is the lack of personal consecration. If we assume we can make it without that we are in presumption. Self-gratification and a self-pleasing spirit will greatly hinder your consecration and cut the maturity process short. We are infamous for taking short cuts. There is an old African adage that says: “Short cut kill deer.”

It’s the cross that we are always dodging and attempting to skirt and avoid. No one wants to die, but this is what the Spirit comes to help us with.

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if through the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13). You cannot bypass the cross of Jesus Christ and its application in your life. All of us must return to our Christian roots and the message of the cross. I believe it is the greatest need in the church today that would distinguish the church from the world. And it must begin with leaders and ministers everywhere.

Overcoming the Wild Beasts

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Rom. 6:12).

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:14).

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. These are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please” (Gal. 5:17).

“That you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph. 4:22).

The Word speaks of many kinds of lusts, but I can’t remember the last time I heard a message concerning putting to death these lusts in the members of our bodies. It seems like there’s been a diabolical silence on it.

“Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts” (Gal. 5:24).

These lusts are a part of our wild beasts. It’s time to stop feeding them. It’s time to stop transgressing the limits of what is permitted or appropriate. It’s time to stop being presumptuous. {eoa}

My full testimony of God’s dealings with my own character issues is in my book, The Journal of a Journey to His Holiness. Also, Soulish Leadership and Purity of Heart are two other books that have helped many leaders deal with pride and presumption.

Jerry Falwell Calls on Evangelicals Nationwide to Rally Against ‘Fake Republicans’

Liberty University President and longtime Donald Trump supporter Jerry Falwell Jr. called on evangelical Christians to rally against “Fake Republicans.”

“There are four or five ‘Fake Republicans’ in the Senate and many in the House,” Falwell tells Breitbart News. “If they can be replaced in 2018—the political class needs to go. If the people can go out and find candidates like Donald Trump who have been successful in the private sector and go out and primary those people—I’m talking about, I know it’s not going to happen in Maine, but I’m talking about people like Susan Collins, [Lindsey] Graham, [Jeff] Flake, [John] McCain, [Mitch] McConnell. Even the ones that don’t—I heard somebody on the radio this morning, one of Mitch McConnell’s friends, bragging about how the Republicans have gone 95 percent with Trump’s agenda. Well, the 5 percent is always the one—the issues that matter. It’s always the issues that matter. They don’t always, the group of ‘Fake Republicans,’ they don’t always vote against it. They just make sure enough of their buddies vote against it to kill it. It’s all done behind closed doors. They got to go. And I think if they go, Trump is going to be the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln.”

Flake announced just this week he would not seek re-election after a tirade against President Trump on the Senate floor.

To bring about further change in the nation’s leadership, Falwell demands fellow believers help “drain the swamp,” as the president once put it.

“They need to do the same thing in the Senate and House elections next year, and they need to not—they need to do what they did with Trump,” Falwell tells Breitbart. “Don’t look at a candidate on whether he has the same religious background as you do. Don’t look at whether he or she is fit to be the pastor of your church. Look at who’s going to vote right on the issues. Look at who’s actually succeeded in real life outside of the political world. That’s who they need to vote for. It may not be the most conservative candidate. But it’s got to be somebody who’s not part of the establishment and has succeeded in real life. Look for somebody with common sense. Find that candidate and support them, and I think they can change the Congress. Then in the last few years of Trump’s presidency, we can turn this country around.”

Though Falwell says faith should not play a large role in who to vote for, Christian commentator John Burton disagrees.

In an article previously posted on Charisma News, Burton suggests the following biblical guidelines for selecting a leader:

First Timothy 3:1-7 reveals the qualifications of overseers of the church. I propose that these must be minimum qualifications for one who would desire to lead our nation:

Above reproach—This means to be blameless. No evil should be able to be proved against any candidate of public office. This doesn’t only mean any illegal activity; it means to be free of evil, of sinful practice. How can a president lead our nation via righteous means if he isn’t living righteously himself?
The husband of one wife—This mandate has become so diluted in our modern society. It’s shocking that we would hold to a position that divorced people disqualify themselves from leadership (unless the divorce is supported by Scripture).
Sober-minded—Adam Clarke translates this as “having the complete government of all his passions.” This is talking about a mature person who isn’t given to anger or emotional responses to the issues of life.
Self-controlled—Sometimes candidates for office are referred to as appearing presidential. They are self-controlled, steady and not swayed by the challenges in front of them. They are confident and solid in their position.
Respectable—A candidate’s reputation will precede them, and it must be squeaky clean. At the least, they must humbly admit their previous failures and be believable going forward. They must be genuine.
Hospitable—Will a candidate get into the trenches with common people, serve them with passion and connect with them as a friend? It’s something very special when this happens, and I believe we should expect it. It’s a part of the office.
Able to teach—It might be easy to dismiss this as pertaining specifically to pastors. I would disagree. We must have a leader who can communicate clearly, understand his subject matter and connect with the people of America so well that he gains our trust and that we are properly informed.
Not a drunkard—This should go without saying. No leader, spiritual or secular, will be able to fulfill his duties if he drinks to excess.
Not violent—Violence in a pastor would be truly terrible. Violence in the leader of our nation would literally put our nation at risk of nuclear war.
Gentle—A non-violent leader is mandatory, but we have to expect even more. They must be gentle. Do you perceive a gentle, tender heart in your candidate?
Not quarrelsome—Do they play dirty? Do they call people names, act like a bully or threaten? If so, putting them in the land’s highest position would be a cataclysmic mistake.
Not a lover of money—This should be absolutely non-negotiable for any leader, much less the president of the United States. A love of money is the root of all evil, and if that attribute is in our leader, our nation is put at extreme risk of being overtaken by evil.
Manage his household well—Does the candidate have a reputation of being a stable family leader? Do his children respect him? Are they submissive? This is more important than we may realize.
Not a recent convert—This may be the most important attribute for the leader of our nation. Having anybody other than a seasoned Christian leading our nation should be unthinkable.
Be well thought of by outsiders—Is the candidate an honorable person? Do people respect their character?

Falwell recommends “common-sense candidates.”

“When I say common-sense candidates, when I say not always the most conservative, I’m saying don’t just vote on ideology,” Falwell tells Breitbart. “When you listen to these politicians, they know what to say to assure you what their ideology is. But that’s not what matters. What matters is do they have common sense? Have they succeeded in the real world? Then, all the rest will follow because if you have common sense and you start trying to fix things then you’re going to become a conservative like Trump did, because you see that’s the only way to fix things.”

Many prominent believers have frowned upon Falwell’s politicking.

Some alumni even returned their diplomas to the school in protest of Falwell’s unwavering presidential support.

Michael Farris, the former head of the Moral Majority founded by Jerry Falwell Sr., took issue with Falwell Jr.’s constant praise of the president. Farris was a longtime friend of the Falwell family as he worked side-by-side with Falwell Sr.

Farris wrote:

Trump has big visions. Falwell Sr. had big vision. But Jerry’s vision was built by inspiring people to believe that Liberty would be faithful to the vision of Christ. Giving Trump an honorary doctorate in the past was unwise, but comparing him to Jesus was as close to heresy as I ever wish to witness.

Jerry Falwell Sr. taught and we believed that character matters and candidates should share our worldview—not our vision of financial success.

The movement would have been still-born had Jerry Sr. ever stood on a stage and endorsed a man who is not pro-life, who mocks God by saying he has nothing to be forgiven for, and who has had the audacity to say on stage that he has given to candidates of all parties because it is necessary for business.

That is not a man of principle. That is a man who games the system for profit.

I cannot say what Jerry Sr. would say today. But I can speak for the crowd at that first meeting in 1980.

Shame on you, Jerry Falwell Jr. for elevating success in business over the principles of right and wrong that flow from giving priority to the Word of God over the priority of a balance sheet. I am deeply saddened.

Samuel Rodriguez: How to Go From Spiritual Drought to Abundant Rain

Samuel Rodriguez believes there’s a biblical model for leaving spiritual drought behind. He says first there is drought, then fire and finally rain. Yet many Christians try to skip the middle step. Why is spiritual fire the only way to receive abundant rain? Rodriguez explains.

RT Kendall: Why You Don’t Feel God’s Presence Right Now

God’s presence may be understood in two ways: His unconscious presence and His conscious presence. Many of us tend not to appreciate God’s unconscious presence; rather, we long for His conscious presence—when He clearly shows up.

The theological term that is relevant to both ways we experience God’s presence is the omnipresence of God. God is everywhere; there is no place where He isn’t (see Ps. 139:7-12).

Theologians speak of the “three big O’s”: God’s omnipotence (that He is all-powerful), His omniscience (that He knows everything) and His omnipresence (that He is everywhere)—His glory fills the universe and all He has made—but it also means that we cannot run from God. Jonah found this to be true. God told him, “Go to Ninevah.” Jonah said, “No.” He rose to flee “from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:2-3) but found such a notion impossible to fulfill. Wherever Jonah went, there was God!

Are you trying to run from God? Give up! It is a hopeless venture.

The fact that you may not feel God does not mean that He is not there. The fact that you don’t even believe in God will not cause Him to go away. If we believe not, said Paul, God “remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). Let’s look at some Scriptures pertaining to God’s omnipresence:

“‘Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I do not see him?’ says the Lord. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the Lord” (Jer. 23:24).

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3).

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? See, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less can this house that I have built?” (1 Kings 8:27).

Never underestimate how near God is to you when you feel nothing. I first met missionary Jackie Pullinger in Hong Kong, she described how she decided to pray in the Spirit for 15 minutes every day “by the clock.” She added: “I felt nothing. But those were days when I began to see conversions in the Walled City. When I saw the Lord changing people, then I was full of feeling.”

Jacob was no match for his grandfather Abraham. He could not have known that one day the phrase “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” would become a cliché in Israel—and that Jacob’s new name, Israel, would become the name of a great nation. It all began at Bethel, where Jacob at first felt nothing, only to realize that God was there and he did not know it.

Jacob became a symbol of the sovereign grace of God in more ways than one. He was an example of a scoundrel who was loved by God. “I have loved Jacob” (Mal. 1:2; see Rom. 9:13). There was absolutely nothing in Jacob that deserved to be loved by God. He had done everything wrong. He knew it and was running scared. The last thing he expected was for God to show up and then reveal wonderful plans for Jacob.

Are you running scared? Are you afraid for God to show up? Do you fear that if God were to show up, He would certainly judge you?

God told Jacob to go back to Bethel when his heart had become cold and detached from God’s purpose. Jacob obeyed and announced to his family, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your clothes. Let us arise and go up to Bethel, and there I will make an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone” (Gen. 35:1-3, emphasis added). Note the two phrases I have italized in Jacob’s words. The first is “who answered me in the day of my distress.” That is how we know Jacob was actually praying when he came to the previously mentioned “certain place.” The second phrase, “[who] has been with me wherever I have gone,” is Jacob acknowledging God’s presence with him—no matter what he went through.

This tells me that if the church today would go back to Bethel, a sense of the fear of God would fall on the world, which at the moment does not respect the church as it might.

God demonstrated to unworthy Jacob the truth of His sheer mercy and grace. The faithfulness of God seems too good to be true. I sometimes say, “Unless the gospel you have heard preach seemed ‘too good to be true,’ you haven’t heard it yet. But when you say to yourself, ‘That’s too good to be true,’ that is when you heard it.” This means we are saved apart from works and kept apart from works (Eph. 2:8-9). Yes, we are loved with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

Do you need to return to Bethel? Have you wandered far from God? Do you feel God has deserted you? Is God calling you back to Bethel?

Bethel is a symbol of hope. It symbolizes the manner in which God shows up when you feel absolutely nothing. Bethel symbolizes the God who surprises, the God who will never leave us. Many think there is no hope, but there is—there is hope for you.

Jacob’s experience shows that when we don’t feel God, He is nevertheless here, and it demonstrates the awesomeness of the unconscious presence of God.

presence of god kendall Adapted from The Presence of God by R. T. Kendall, copyright 2017, published by Charisma House. This book invites you to discover what it means to be in the presence of God, and helps you explore everything from the omniscience of God to the tangible manifestation of His presence. To order your copy, click on this link.

Prayer Power for the Week of Oct. 29, 2017

This week thank God for those He led in the past who stood for His Word, truth and righteousness, regardless of persecution. Continue to lift up those in leadership over us and ask God to pour out His Spirit on this nation and around the world. Pray for the next generation and engage in spiritual warfare for their souls. Ask the Lord send more laborers into His harvest fields (Eph. 2:8-9; Jer. 31:3; Ps. 139:7-12).

Mike Bickle: IHOPKC Will Never Accept Extrabiblical Prophetic Words, Dreams or Visions

When asked about new prophetic revelations, Mike Bickle says, “Anything that’s not in the written Word of God, I’d reject.” But he’s quick to clarify that many authentic encounters with God are not actually anti-biblical. Watch his nuanced take on the subject in this video. Do you agree with him?

Don’t Miss Kim Walker-Smith’s Epic Worship Tour de Force

Kim Walker-Smith and Jesus Culture give one of the longest, most passionate performances of the year. The title track of their new album, Love Has a Name, is an 11-minute worship opus. They perform the full song live before a massive crowd in this video.