Prophecy or Coincidence? 19th-Century Novel ‘The Last President’ and Trump’s Tariff Battles

As President Donald Trump’s controversial tariff plan roils world markets, the curious 19th century novels of an obscure author and lawyer has created a prophetic mind-twister for those who enjoy literary mysteries.

While many in the mainstream media scramble to understand the deeper implications of Trump’s economic revival plan, those with spiritual discernment recognize a divine thread connecting this moment in history to a powerful vision cast over a century ago—woven through the enigmatic pages of The Baron Trump Collection by Ingersoll Lockwood—and the leadership of President William McKinley, Trump’s often-quoted inspiration, who served from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.

In the third and final book of Lockwood’s eerily prescient trilogy, 1900: or The Last President, a fictional Congress debates an urgent economic strategy:

“There was a doubling up too of the tariff on all imported luxuries, for as was said on the floor of Congress, ‘If the silks and satins of American loom and the wines and tobacco of native growth, are not good enough for “my Lord of Wall Street,” let him pay the difference and thank heaven that he can get them at that price.”

More than fiction, this quote, among many in The Baron Trump Collection, as I explore in my book The Trump Code: Exploring Time Travel, Nikola Tesla, the Trump Lineage, and America’s Future, seems prophetic.

Today, President Trump’s “America First” economic agenda mirrors this very sentiment. With renewed tariffs on foreign goods and strategic protections for U.S. manufacturing and farming, Trump’s strategy aims to break the stronghold of global dependency, eliminate the influence of foreign oligarchs over the American middle class, and once again make American labor the envy of the world.

A Divine Disruption

Trump’s tumultuous but ingenious tariff plan is more than an economic strategy—it’s a divine disruption.

The plan could signal the fall of corrupt global financial systems and the rise of a sovereign, reawakened America. I believe we are witnessing a historic reset—where God is shifting power back to the people and preparing the world for revival.

Following Trump’s announcement on April 2—“Liberation Day”—of his global tariff initiative, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went on NBC News and articulated a comprehensive economic reset that may well define this next chapter in our nation’s history.

Framed as a revival of American industrial power and a campaign to uplift the forgotten middle class, the plan aims to rebalance economic power from Wall Street to Main Street, and, more importantly, back into the hands of the American people. I believe this is not merely a political maneuver—it’s a prophetic movement.

Bessent called this a transformational moment in U.S. policy, likening it to President Ronald Reagan’s era of reforms. But this time, it goes deeper. President Trump has added a critical new dimension to the use of tariffs—leveraging them not just as revenue tools or protectionist measures but as instruments of national negotiation and global economic realignment.

The economic fallout of China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 has left scars on American workers. The so-called “China Shock” decimated communities, hollowed out manufacturing, and shifted prosperity overseas. Now, President Trump is seeking to reverse that trend with policies that require fair trade, penalize exploitation, and reward American production.

Trump’s Hero—The ‘Tariff King’ President William McKinley

Trump’s admiration for McKinley—who signed the landmark Tariff Act of 1890—is no secret.

Trump, who renamed North America’s highest peak Mount McKinley in his honor, has often praised McKinley. In his inaugural address, he referred to McKinley as a “great president” who “made our country very rich through tariffs.” Trump dubbed McKinley the “tariff king.”

McKinley’s leadership ushered in a wave of prosperity by shielding American industries from unfair global competition. Ironically, 1890 was also the year Lockwood published the Travels and Adventures of Little Baron Trump and His Wonderful Dog Bulger, the first in a trilogy that chronicles the rise of a populist president—whom many now believe is President Trump—his unusual journey, and a chaotic political atmosphere eerily similar to what we face today.

In The Trump Code, I explore how these bizarre literary prophecies, historical connections, and Trump’s policies are not random—but part of what I believe is the hand of Providence shaping the destiny of America and the world. The uncanny similarities suggest that the United States stands at a prophetic crossroads. Will we return to our founding principles, or descend further into the grip of globalism?

The End of America’s Exploitation?

President Trump’s recent announcements—including a sweeping plan to levy tariffs on nations that exploit American consumers and undercut U.S. jobs—are rooted not only in sound economic reasoning but a deeper spiritual and prophetic mission.

Just as McKinley battled the rising forces of industrial monopolies and foreign manipulation in his day, Trump now confronts a modern version of the same enemies—tech giants, foreign conglomerates, and elite financial interests determined to erase national sovereignty.

‘For the Glory of God and Advancement of the Christian Faith’

But God is not silent.

Through the reelection of President Trump in November 2024, the revival of American tariffs, and the exposure of globalist agendas, the Lord is calling His people to rise in discernment. What seemed like satire in 1900: or The Last President has become a warning flare over the republic. We are witnessing a convergence of prophecy, politics, and the future of America.

As believers, we must be watchful and wise. We must recognize that the battle for America is not just a political one—but spiritual. As I wrote in The Trump Code, this is a prophetic battle.

President Trump’s economic reforms are not merely nostalgic nods to history—they are declarations of war against the Babylonian system that has enslaved generations with debt, dependency, and deception. And like McKinley before him, Trump is choosing to stand in the breach.

The question is: will the Church stand with him?

We are in the midst of a prophetic disruption. I believe the unveiling of President Trump’s plan is a signal that God is not done with America. In fact, He is just getting started.

As I explain in The Trump Code, there is a divine thread running through our history, and I believe President Trump is part of God’s design to expose, uproot and rebuild. America is being called to rise—not in arrogance, but in purpose. Not in chaos, but in covenant with God, like the Pilgrims did when they dedicated America in the Mayflower Compact to the “the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith.”

Now is the time to pray, fast and get involved. The economic shifts we are seeing could set the stage for a monumental global realignment. If we heed the signs, we may yet see a great revival rise from the ashes of a broken world.

As the pages of prophecy unfold before our eyes, let us remember: God raises up leaders for times like this. And if The Trump Code is any indication, we are living in an hour of divine intervention and historic consequence.

Let the Church arise. Let America awaken. Let the remnant prepare. The time has come.

Troy Anderson is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated investigative journalist, best-selling author of “The Trump Code,” “Your Mission in God’s Army,” “Revelation 911,” “The Military Guide to Disarming Deception,” “The Military Guide to Armageddon,” “Trumpocalypse” and “The Babylon Code.” He is founder and president of the Inspire Literary Group, a premier editorial services and ghostwriting company. Anderson has appeared on numerous media platforms, including CBN News, Newsmax TV and His Glory TV, and is known for his understanding of prophetic events shaping America’s future. He writes for Newsmax, Charisma Media, The Christian Post, Townhall and other media outlets. Learn more at .




Hollywood Star Breaks Silence on the Bible Story That Ignited Her Faith

By the world’s metrics, Jen Lilley is a sure success — but she’s not measuring her accomplishments in accolades and awards; she cares what God thinks of her.

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“The Holy Spirit is my very best friend,” Lilley said, tears in her eyes, on a recent episode of CBN’s “Faith vs. Culture.”

It would be easy to dismiss her words as overly saccharine, but that’s not the case for Lilley. Her faith is genuine — an authentic relationship with God that began in earnest when she was just nine years old.

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At the time, Lilley’s parents were Catholic, but had become disenchanted with their church. Knowing she was searching, Lilley’s mother’s optometrist told her about his church, an Episcopalian congregation. The family attended the Protestant church and Lilley went to Sunday school, where she learned about the Old Testament story of Elijah and the widow, found in 1 Kings 17.



The “Days of Our Lives” star recalled going home, grabbing her children’s Bible and a yellow crayon, and beginning to read.

To read the full story, please visit our content partners at Faithwire.

Reprinted with permission from . Copyright © 2025 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.

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SMU Campus SHAKEN: Massive Wave of Salvations as Revival Hits!

Another signal fire of revival was ignited on an American college campus, this time at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

The UniteUS movement shared the truth of God’s saving grace with thousands of college students at SMU. “Last night was special. There’s nothing like lifting up the name of Jesus with thousands of college students,” the ministry wrote on Instagram.

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By the end of the evening, hundreds reportedly said yes to Jesus.

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“God moved in Moody Coliseum as hundreds of students came forward to make a decision for Christ!” the ministry reported. “Freedom found. Lives changed. God is moving in this generation!!!”

Chad Prewett, husband of Tonya Prewett who founded UniteUS, confirmed, “Hundreds accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior tonight at Unite SMU!”

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In early February, UniteUS kicked off their first outreach of 2025 at the University of Kentucky, which is just 30 minutes from Asbury University where the first sparks of a new spiritual awakening were seen among American students in February of 2023.

More than 8,000 students packed Rupp Arena to worship Jesus and to hear a powerful gospel message. More than 2,000 students responded to that message about Jesus Christ, and many took part in spontaneous baptisms. 

To read the full story, please visit our content partners at CBN.

Reprinted with permission from . Copyright © 2025 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.

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Trump’s Golden Dome Plan Could Change Warfare Forever

The U.S. Space Command has submitted options for President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for review. This initiative aims to deploy space-based weapons to intercept ground-launched missiles shortly after launch.

The proposal comes in response to advancements in hypersonic weaponry by adversaries, notably China’s 2021 orbital warhead test.

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General Stephen Whiting, head of U.S. Space Command, emphasized the necessity of orbital interceptors to deter or prevail in potential space conflicts, stating “It’s time that we can clearly say that we need space fires, and we need weapons systems. We need orbital interceptors…We call these weapons, and we need them to deter a space conflict and to be successful if we end up in such a fight.”

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The “Golden Dome” program, previously known as “Iron Dome,” was rebranded in February and is intended to integrate existing missile defenses with innovative space-based technologies.

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The Department of Defense has not disclosed specific system details or associated costs, but the options include estimated expenses aligning with Trump’s proposed $1 trillion defense budget for 2026. The Pentagon is now setting specific requirements for the program, guiding the pursuit of commercial technologies for an initial deployment within a few years.

This initiative echoes President Ronald Reagan’s 1980s “Star Wars” Strategic Defense Initiative, which was ultimately shelved due to technical and financial hurdles.

This article originally appeared on American Faith, and is reposted with permission.

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‘God Spoke’: Miracles That Stunned Ray Comfort, Offered Powerful Biblical Evidence

Evangelist Ray Comfort believes in miracles and has personally experienced God’s hand at work, revealing the amazing ways the Lord has shown Himself.

“I’ve seen things that happen that I would consider supernatural,” he said. “Like when we were invited to base our ministry in the U.S. over a three-day period, 13 strange things happened that I had to say, ‘This is God’s hand directing me.’”

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The Living Waters ministry leader said these occurrences might not have been considered miracles by most people but that they blew him away.

“I said to a guy, ‘I think we’re gonna go and live in the U.S. I’m gonna sell my house,’” Comfort said. “He says, ‘I’ll buy it.’ And he bought it on the spot. It’s just amazing.”

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He also recalled telling his father-in-law that he planned to go live in the U.S. and that he responded with a message that truly stunned Comfort.

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“He said, ‘Three days ago, God spoke to my heart and said, you’re gonna go and live in the U.S.,’” he said. “My mom, who was Jewish, very lukewarm, not even lukewarm, beneath lukewarm, told me after she went berserk at me, three days earlier, God had spoken to her heart that we’re going to move to the U.S.”

And that’s not all. Around the same time, Comfort also experienced a balloon coming into his backyard that had an American flag on it.

“It was just strange,” he said. “This was way down and under in New Zealand. So I believe in the miraculous.”

To read the full story, please visit our content partners at Faithwire.

Reprinted with permission from . Copyright © 2025 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.

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Global Ministry Launches 50-Hour Prayer Meeting to Flood the World with Power of God

Fifty hours of continuous prayer, worship, and gospel proclamation within nations where 3.3 billion people live in a spiritual desert is about to rise simultaneously from seven locations across the 10/40 Window.

Predominantly Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu nations, the 10/40 Window is filled with souls who are thirsty for the living water – Jesus. They’re people who are desperate and eager to hear the good news of God’s love and salvation.

Titled “50 Hours,” this non-stop prayer meeting within the 10/40 Window will commence April 10-12 with people exalting God and welcoming His presence into dark and dry spiritual regions.

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From its Richmond, Virginia, home base, MAPS Global is also praying and worshiping as it sends 80 missionaries to support about 20 indigenous, Christian leaders and churches at four established houses of prayer. Three other locations within the 10/40 Window will become permanent MAPS houses of prayer, also known as bases, by 2028.

The global Body of Christ is invited to join 50 Hours, now in its 11th year of proclaiming the worth of Jesus, in three ways: through prayer, gathering, and giving financially to help MAPS forge new frontiers in missions.

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MAPS has prepared a guide to assist believers worldwide in interceding for the 10/40 Window during 50 Hours.

Globally, believers are also encouraged to join a Live feed from the seven regions on April 11, beginning at 7 p.m. (EST). MAPS leaders hope to raise $50,000 during 50 Hours to establish three permanent prayer bases by 2028.

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In a recent podcast titled “50 Hours: A Desert Bloom,” MAPS leaders declared that as believers within each nation begin to sing to Jesus, the Lord sends the rain of His Spirit and an outpouring of His presence on people – some for the first time in their lives.

Forbidden by law to sing in some countries within the 10/40 Window, many people in these spiritual deserts come to faith in Jesus through life-saving encounters with God’s Son.

“It’s more than in the prayer room; it’s entire regions that open to the gospel because the presence of God displaces spiritual darkness over people,” said R.A. (Randy) Martinez, MAPS founder and president.

To read the full story, please visit our content partners at CBN News.

Reprinted with permission from . Copyright © 2025 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.

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Mike Huckabee Confirmed by Senate as First-ever Devout Evangelical to Serve as US Ambassador to Israel

Lynn and I and our colleagues at ALL ISRAEL NEWS and The Joshua Fund are absolutely thrilled by the news that the U.S. Senate yesterday finally voted to confirm former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to be the next American ambassador to Israel.

Huckabee and his wife, Janet, are expected to arrive in Jerusalem as early as next week to take up the post.

David Milstein, who served as an aide to David Friedman, the previous Trump ambassador to Israel from 2017 to 2020, will serve as a senior advisor to Huckabee.

After months of bitter, brutal and bigoted attacks by left-wing Muslim and Jewish groups trying to nuke his nomination – often on the grounds that he’s an Evangelical Christian Zionist – the final vote was 53 to 46.

John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote in favor.

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Israeli leaders from across the ideological spectrum – right, center and left – were quick to praise the confirmation.

“Congratulations to my dear friend @GovMikeHuckabee upon being confirmed as the next ambassador of the United States to Israel,” wrote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 𝕏. “This is a great day for the Israeli-American alliance.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote, “Just spoke with @GovMikeHuckabee and congratulated him upon his confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. He is a true friend of the Jewish state and I look forward to working together to further strengthen the unbreakable bond between our nations!”

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid wrote: “Congratulations to @GovMikeHuckabee on his confirmation as the next US Ambassador to Israel Mike is one of Israel’s best and most dedicated friends. Good luck Mike!”

Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz wrote: “@GovMikeHuckabee is an unrelenting ally of the State of Israel and champion of the special Israel-US partnership. Congratulations Governor on your bipartisan confirmation as President Trump’s Ambassador to Israel.”

Once and possibly future Prime Minister Naftali Bennett – currently the most popular leader in Israeli politics – wrote, “Congratulations to @GovMikeHuckabee on becoming President Trump’s and America’s Ambassador to Israel. Since I first met Governor Huckabee 15 years ago I’ve seen that Mike’s heart is with us. He’s the best friend that Israel could have. Good luck, my friend!”

Evangelical leaders and lay people are equally enthusiastic.

After all, Mike Huckabee himself is a devout Evangelical follower of Jesus Christ, a former Baptist pastor, and one of the most influential pro-Israel voices in the Christian world.

He is a passionate champion of the alliance and a fierce defender of Israel against the “avalanche of lies” that he sees coming from the Iranian regime, other hostile world governments, and much of the U.S. and global media.

In addition to hosting the most popular show on TBN – the most-watched Christian television network in the U.S. – Huckabee has served on the ALL ISRAEL NEWS Advisory Board since we established this media platform in 2020.

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Huckabee’s confirmation as ambassador sends a powerful message about Trump’s intention to stand solidly and unwaveringly with Israel – and to reject the failed Middle East policies of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, of which Huckabee has been a sharp critic.

His appointment was also an unmistakable sign of how seriously Trump regards the enormous influence of the tens of millions of Evangelical Christians in the United States who deeply love Israel and the Jewish people.

As ALL ISRAEL NEWS reported last fall when the nomination was first announced, this is the first time in history that an American president has chosen an ambassador to Israel who is so openly and unashamedly committed to his love for Jesus Christ and the Bible.

What’s more, Huckabee is the “first non-Jewish ambassador in 16 years,” noted Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East policy advisor to President Bill Clinton, in a message on 𝕏.

Having traveled to Israel more than 100 times in his lifetime – bringing tour groups of Christians to “walk where Jesus and the apostles and prophets walked” – Huckabee’s most recent visit here was last December as co-host with me of an Evangelical “Solidarity Mission” on behalf of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and The Joshua Fund.

A long-time close friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, Huckabee and I met with Netanyahu in December, at the Kirya – Israel’s version of the Pentagon – in Tel Aviv.

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“I’ve been traveling to Israel for over 50 years – with my first trip being in July of 1973 – and I’ve led thousands of Americans on trips here since 1981,” Huckabee told ALL ISRAEL NEWS at the time.

“I’ve been to Israel several times a year most years and have come here during the Intifada and the 2014 Gaza war to show my solidarity and support. But this trip is perhaps my most important.”

“What happened on October 7th was revolting. And I’m infuriated by how so much of the world and the media are turning against Israel.”

“I came here to say loud and clear that Evangelicals stand with Israel,” Huckabee said. “We believe in the Bible and we are grateful that God made it crystal clear that He loves Israel and the Jewish people and has chosen to bless them.”

“That’s why Evangelicals are praying without ceasing for Israel’s hostages to come home quickly and victory over Israel’s enemies, and why so many Christians are donating millions of dollars to provide urgently needed humanitarian relief for those suffering in this tragic war.”

This article originally appeared on ALL ISRAEL NEWS, and is reposted with permission.

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Exposing the Easter Bunny Heresy: You Won’t Believe Its Dark Origins!

Is the Easter Bunny a symbol of paganism?

With the upcoming celebration of Resurrection Day, Jonathan Cahn challenges us to rethink what we celebrate and why. He declares, “Messiah did not die in some mythological banquet hall of the gods or He didn’t rise up from a mythological earth. He died a real death on a real execution stake under a real Roman procurator and was buried in a real first century Judean tomb.”



The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Cahn emphasizes, is not a myth or an abstract concept but a life-altering, historical reality. This Resurrection is what we should be focused on, not bunnies or Easter egg hunts. Yet, in our society, Easter has been desecrated by many, including last year’s celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility by the previous White House administration.

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“[Former] president Biden called for Americans to celebrate Transgender Visibility Day for Easter shows the contrast, the dark contrast of how far America has fallen,” Cahn says.

Further, Cahn urges us to reflect on the shift within culture from celebrating Passover to Easter. The transition from Passover to Easter, according to Cahn, marked a significant departure from the original biblical focus on Jesus’ death and Resurrection. What’s scary about this transition is how Easter is connected to some rather dark practices instead of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Cahn traces the origins of Easter back to “the goddess of springtime, goddess of fertility, goddess of rebirth” and explains how “Easter in the western calendar is determined by the spring equinox,” a time connected to the ancient fertility rites.

“Why would I want to call the Resurrection of the Lord by the name of a pagan goddess or a pagan practice or a pagan time?” Cahn asks.

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He further compares the Easter bunny to the real focus of the Resurrection: “The Bible speaks of the lamb of God not the bunny of God. The first documented case of the Easter bunny comes from Germany in the lamb goes out, and in comes the bunny.”

He reminds Christians that the Resurrection is a “once in a lifetime, once in an eternity event” that “changes everything.” The Resurrection of Jesus is not a tradition or a ritual; it’s a real, life-changing event that calls for transformation. Cahn passionately urges: “He rose in real time in real space so you could do the same in real time in real space in your real life.”

On Resurrection Sunday, let us return to the truth of the Resurrection and honor its true significance.

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.




3 Hidden Obstacles Stopping You from Growing Your Faith—and How to Overcome Them!

What does it take to actually grow your faith in Christ?

In the journey of faith, it’s easy to be distracted by life’s challenges. But Todd Mullins reminds us that if we have Jesus, “then you’ve got everything that you need.”

In a stunning message, Mullins shared powerful insights from Mark 4, where Jesus teaches the parable of the sower—a story that reveals how the condition of our hearts impacts our spiritual growth.

In this parable, Jesus compares the Word of God to a seed that is sown by a farmer. “The seed is the word of God,” Mullins explains, and the soil represents the condition of our hearts. “This is really the parable of the soil more than it’s the parable of the sewer because the sewer can’t make anything grow,” Mullins says. “The sewer doesn’t do anything about the soil. The sewer just sows seed.”

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Mullins explains that our hearts must be prepared to receive God’s word. He identifies several obstacles that hinder spiritual growth.

First, a hardened heart blocks God’s word from taking root. “The more that you and I ignore God… every time we resist God… my heart gets hardened in that area and I can no longer receive,” Mullins states. Just as a rocky path prevents seeds from sprouting, our hearts can become resistant to God’s influence when we turn away from His voice.

Mullins also highlights the danger of distractions, comparing them to thorns that choke the growth of plants. “The worries of this life… the deceitfulness of wealth… and the desires for other things come in and choke the word,” he warns. These distractions can take many forms—fear, anxiety and misplaced priorities—but they all prevent us from fully embracing God’s word and growing in our faith.

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To see growth, we must cultivate good soil. How do we do that? We live our lives according to the Word of God. If we do not live out what the Word of God says, it will be impossible for us to cultivate strong, good soil for the kingdom of God.

“Good soil is going to not only receive the word but is actually going to do what the Word says to do,” Mullins emphasizes. True spiritual growth is not just about hearing God’s word, but about living it out. As James 1:22 reminds us, “Do not merely listen to the word… but do what it says.”

Spiritual growth is a continual process of sowing, cultivating and tending to our hearts. When we decide to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, eliminate distractions and live out what Scripture says, then we can truly have victory and freedom in Christ.

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Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.




Sports Betting Is Coming to Your Church, Are You Ready for It?

Sports betting isn’t just a problem for casinos or sports bars anymore — it’s knocking on the doors of America’s churches.

That’s the message pastors heard loud and clear at a recent summit hosted by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas. If your church isn’t talking about sports gambling yet, it might be time to start.

As reported by The Christian Post, the summit was held at Travis Avenue Baptist Church and brought together pastors, researchers and advocates to confront what many believe is becoming a major spiritual and cultural issue — the rapid rise of digital sports betting.

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With just a smartphone and a few swipes, young men (and increasingly, women, too) are being drawn into a world that Pastor RaShan Frost says is built on deception and destruction. “The essential idea against gambling is that it thrives under the conditions of human covetousness, denying God as a provider and failing to be content in His provision,” Frost says.

This isn’t your grandfather’s poker game.

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Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that opened the floodgates for legalized sports betting, digital platforms have exploded across the country.

“We’ve become just inundated with ads for all these opportunities to gamble money,” Frost adds, pointing to a growing trend among young men “who now have smartphones and their dad’s credit card and can really get into a lot of trouble.”

And it’s not just spiritual harm pastors are worried about. Frost warned that gambling reduces athletes to commodities and noted “18- to 22-year-olds receiving death threats” after bad performances that cost gamblers money. What kind of culture are we creating when a missed shot or dropped ball turns into a reason for rage?

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Pastor Matt Henslee of Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, Texas, found out just how deeply embedded the issue had become when he learned that teens in his youth group had already normalized sports betting. “That’s when it really hit home for me,” he said.

The summit offered more than just warnings. From using small groups as a platform for discipleship to urging pastors to engage lawmakers, speakers shared tools to address the crisis.

Greg Davis, president of The Alabama Citizens Action Program, put it bluntly: “Gambling is a lie; it’s a con job. Legislators don’t see what pastors see.”

The reality is clear: sports betting is no longer just a cultural issue — it’s a pastoral one. And if churches don’t take proactive steps now, they may find themselves behind the curve in helping their members, especially the next generation, navigate this growing trap.

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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.