Author Archives: Dr. Mike

-National Day of Prayer, 2019

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A good time to pray for our nation and leaders. Pray for revival, we need it.

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Link to the official website: National Day of Prayer

President Trump’s proclamation is well worth reading this year.

Presidential Proclamation:

Americans have always found power and unity through prayer.  In 1988, the Congress, by Public Law 100-307, called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a “National Day of Prayer.”  Today, on this National Day of Prayer, we once again come together to give thanks to Almighty God for the bountiful blessings He has bestowed on our great Nation and to ask for His unfailing counsel.  We also acknowledge our dependence on God’s love to guide our families, communities, and our country away from harm and toward abundance and peace.

Our Nation acknowledges that religious liberty is a natural right, given to us by our Creator, not a courtesy that government extends to us.  The First Amendment recognizes the freedom of religion and safeguards this right against government infringement.  The United States’ steadfast commitment to upholding religious freedom has ensured that people of different faiths can pray together and live in peace as fellow American citizens.  We have no tolerance for those who disrupt this peace, and we condemn all hate and violence, particularly in our places of worship.

Throughout our Nation’s history, Americans have consistently turned to God for guidance at pivotal moments.  In 1775, the Continental Congress first declared a day of prayer, asking American patriots throughout the colonies to pray in earnest for divine help in forming our Republic.  Seventy-five years ago this June, President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the Nation in prayer as courageous Americans stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.  He prayed:  “Almighty God:  Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor . . . Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.”  Today, we also pray for strength for our Nation and our Armed Forces as we face new challenges at home and abroad.

Our Nation’s honored tradition of prayer has sustained us and strengthened our trust that God will continue to watch over and accompany us through the best of times and the darkest hours.  May we as Americans never forget the power of prayer and the greatness of our Creator.  On this National Day of Prayer, let each of us, according to our own faiths, call upon God for His guidance and express our gratitude for the love and grace He bestows on us and our country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 2, 2019, as a National Day of Prayer.  I invite the citizens of our Nation to pray, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, in thanksgiving for the freedoms and blessings we have received, and for God’s guidance and continued protection as we meet the challenges before us.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP

-Celebrating the Ministry of St. Patrick

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Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Beyond the green beer and rowdy drunken debauchery that typically surrounds the occasion is a historical character that was God’s apostle to Ireland—forget ‘Saint’ this guy functioned as an apostle and a power evangelist with signs and wonders.

There is all sorts of stories about Patrick that today they call ‘myths’. I believe that a lot of the myths were probably based upon true events that seem far too supernatural for secular folks to accept today.

But who was this St. Patrick anyway? A man born into a Roman Christian family in Wales around 385 AD with the given name of Macwyn Succat. At age 16 he was taken from his home and enslaved by Irish Celtic raiders. He tended sheep for his new masters for 6 years and became closer to God in the process. The ‘voice of God’ directed his escape and later commissioned him to return to Ireland as a missionary. He went to seminary and became a Priest in preparation and later a Bishop.

He is recognized by all major Christian churches–Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican since he ministered before the church was divided into all the different denominations we have today. So Protestants have just as great a claim on him as Catholics. And those of us who have Welsh blood running through our veins have as much right to claim St. Patrick as any Irishman.

It is said in documents from that period that he “baptized thousands of people”, and ordained hundreds of priests to lead new Christian communities and villages. He also converted the sons of Kings and chieftains leading to the conversion of an entire pagan nation to Christ.

It is said that he was also a healer and that he prayed for hedges of spiritual protection surrounding Christian homes, churches, and whole villages. Legend has it that snakes were banished from the island in the process, though scientists today doubt there was ever any on the island. Nevertheless, Druid priests were forced leave and demons and evil principalities were cast out and challenged by St. Patrick.

Here’s an example of the spiritual condition of  church that St. Patrick left behind—part of a prayer attributed to him but probably recorded a couple of generations later:

From “Saint Patrick’s Breastplate”:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ below me, Christ above me, Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye which sees me, Christ in every ear which hears me.

We could use this kind of spiritual maturity. What a great declaration to live by–an example for those seeking a Kingdom culture and economy.          

-The Send 2019: A New Jesus People Move?

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60,000 gathered in Orlando on Saturday for The Send 2019 -hoping to kick off a new ‘Jesus People’ move of God. From the Christian Post:

“The Send,” was a 10-hour event organized by Youth With A Mission, Christ for All Nations, and Lou Engle of Lou Engle Ministries. The Orlando, Florida event at Camping World Stadium featured several collaborators from various national ministries who hoped to motivate Christians to fulfill their God-given call.

According to Engle, the live-streamed event was inspired by a conversation in 2011 with YWAM members hoping missionaries would rise up following the death of Rev. Billy Graham.

As the day went on, The Send featured pastors and evangelists such Bill Johnson, Daniel Kolenda and Francis Chan, along with worship teams such as Hillsong Young & Free, Jesus Culture, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Bethel Music.

<Read the whole article>

Response: The organizers of this gathering are hoping that this kicks off a new move of God among young people in particular like the Jesus People Move of the last generation. Every move and revival is different but it is the dedication and life changing type of movement among the youth that we are looking for in this generation.

Actually we are hoping and looking for an even greater international revival- a Great Harvest which will be far beyond any previous move of God since the first century.

From The Send website:

“a call to action, a call to repentance and a call to service.”

The Send is a stadium gathering and national campaign to catalyze every believer into a lifestyle of Christ-like action.

-Archbishop of Canterbury: Praying in Tongues and Praying for World Evangelism

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(Source of Image: Wikipedia)

Here’s an encouraging testimony from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Most American Charismatics and Pentecostals do not normally think of English Anglican Bishops as being daily participants in speaking in tongues or as willing recipients of words of knowledge and prophecy. From Christian Today:

He said: ‘In my own prayer life and as part of my daily discipline I pray in tongues every day – not as an occasional thing, but as part of daily prayer.’

He said he had been encouraged by words of knowledge and prophecy: ‘I expect to hear from God through other people with words of knowledge or prophecies – some of which I am unsure about, others I can sense there being something of the Spirit of God.’

Better yet, Archbishop Welby is supporting a special prayer initiative for World evangelism:

The archbishop was speaking in connection with the launch of Thy Kingdom Come, now in its fourth year, the prayer initiative that has united more than a million Christians from more than 65 different denominations and traditions in more than 114 countries to pray for evangelisation. It takes place between Ascension to Pentecost, May 30-June 9. …

He added: ‘It’s very unusual for something like Thy Kingdom Come to gather churches together on such a global basis. I don’t think it’s unique, I think it’s biblical. It started by looking at what the disciples did between the Ascension and Pentecost.  …

<Read the compete article>

Take a look at the website for the prayer initiative: Thy Kingdom Come

-What Does a Genuine Move of God Look Like?

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What does a genuine move of God look like? It is allowing the Holy Spirit to do what he wants to do. It is seeking God and nothing else. It is doing what the Father is doing just like Jesus did.

In the context of a church and especially church services it might be somewhat chaotic or at least look that way to those visiting or on the outside looking in. Read the account about Pentecost in Acts 2. Folks on the street thought they were drunk.  A genuine move of God might even be uncomfortable for faithful believers and even strain some of our theology. At least past revivals have.

I recently read a book  by John and Carol Arnott about their experiences as leaders during the Toronto Outpouring or Blessing which is ongoing in many ways and in many places as far away as Africa. But the real focus of the book was on preparing for and sustaining the next move of God:

“Preparing for the Glory: Getting Ready for the Next Wave of Holy Spirit Outpouring”

Anyone interested in revival should take the time to read this book. It is full of great experiences and full of hope and insights into what God is doing now and what the next move might look like and how to prepare for it.

-‘Bless Friday’ Instead of ‘Black Friday’

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BLACK FRIDAY BLESS FRIDAY

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Here’s a great way to start the Christmas season, in keeping with the teaching of Jesus who is the real reason for the season after all. From the Christian Post:

On a day when many Americans are crowding the stores for “Black Friday” bargains, a group of churches will instead do acts of charity as part of an annual observance called “Bless Friday.”

“We’re here to help connect individuals, groups and churches to the service opportunities that can transform our communities and our hearts,” noted its website. …

     “We hope that by beginning their Christmas celebration with service participants will place their focus on Jesus.  We especially hope that Bless Friday connects Christmas and service in the minds of children, less Santa and more Jesus.”

<Read the whole article>

Response: This is an idea that Christians and churches all across America could get involved in. Making a difference in the lives of people is a positive way to start the Christmas season.

Already I see the Marines out with their drive for toys and the bell ringers for the Salvation Army. Bless Friday is something every church could get involved in some way in the future. It would be particularly helpful to include children in the event to help them understand what the season is really all about.               

-Nashville Worship Event: ‘There Was a Mighty Move of God’

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Michael W. Smith led a large worship event at Nashville TN in August. The reports from that concert claim that ‘there was a mighty move of God’ that is still affecting the lives of many who were there that night. From the Christian Post:

Legendary Christian artist Michael W. Smith …said he felt “called” to usher in a great awakening throughout America, …

     “When I think back on the night, one of the first things that comes to my memory is the diversity in the audience. All colors, all ethnicities, all ages — young, old. It was probably the most racially and ethnically diverse crowds I’ve ever played for,” …”It was beautiful and I remember thinking: ‘This is what Heaven will look like.’” …

     “Without question, there was a mighty move of God in the arena that night. And now, weeks later, I’m still hearing reports of lives changed, commitments deepened, and people empowered in a new way. Not just here [in Nashville] but from people in other cities and states that were here that night,” He told CP. “I believe there will be an impact in days, weeks and even years to come; not because of me, but because [of the Bible’s] promise.” …

     “This night is going to trigger something that will spread like wildfire across this country and around the world,” Smith said after the event. “I really believe that with every fiber of my being.”

<Read the whole article>

Response: I believe that events like this will begin to happen all across America and on into Canada. It will begin with major worship gatherings and spread from there. There have been many prophecies about stadiums and arenas being filled with people praising God and looking for revival and healing over our divided land.

When God moves, like it did at this concert, it isn’t just emotions that are affected for one night but lives begin to change and with it churches and whole neighborhoods and cities where the attendants worship, work, and live.

Lord, let your Spirit fall once more across America and bring a new Awakening from sea to shining sea.    

-Witches Publicly Cursing Brett Kavanaugh

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This sounds like a Halloween story but it really isn’t.

An event to curse Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on October 20 was sold out. From Charisma News:

Justice Brett Kavanaugh officially joined the Supreme Court this week amid high political tensions. A throng of real-life witches are fighting back by hosting a spell-casting ritual against Kavanaugh in New York. …

More than 10,000 people have “liked” the “Ritual to Hex Brett Kavanaugh” page, while some 900 others say they plan on attending. …

<Read the whole article>

Response: A good wake up call to remember to pray for our government officials, especially Justice Kavanaugh at this time. Also remember to pray for his family which was sorely affected by the controversy surrounding his confirmation.

This sounds like some kind of Halloween publicity stunt and in some ways it is but these folks are serious occult followers and some of the money raised by the event is going to go to Planned Parenthood.

This does indicate how much our culture has changed in the last decade or so.  A few years ago folks would have been privately doing this and the numbers would have been small and they would have not admitted to anything like this in public. Now the occult is a growing religious phenomena in America and far more open.

A good reminder that we really do battle against demonic principalities and powers that seem to be gaining authority in this generation like never before. It is time for Christians to be on our knees praying for revival and a new awakening ‘while it is yet day’ in America.

Here’s a good article on this same issue by Charisma’s Stephen Strang:  “Witches Hex Trump, Kavanaugh but Can’t Defeat Holy Spirit’s Power”

-Revival on Military Base in Missouri?

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(Image source: Facebook/Jose M. Rondon)

According to reports, there is an on-going revival happening on a military base in Missouri. From Faithwire:

A US army chaplain has described what he believes to be somewhat of a “revival” occurring on a military base in Missouri. The number are staggering: over the past six months, nearly 2,000 troops have reportedly come to the Lord.  …

Among the scores of soldiers coming to Christ, there are multiple testimonies of lives transformed and hearts turned to Christ.

        <Read the whole article>

Response: Keep praying that this will continue and that government authorities will not be pressured by atheist organizations to shut it down or curtail it in some way.

-The World Turns Toward Jerusalem

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Last week the whole world turned towards Jerusalem. Some in praise and hope, others in condemnation. The opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem along with the 70 year celebration of the modern founding of Israel had ‘end-time’ prophecy buffs in overload. It also left Muslim leaders perplexed and angry.

Here’s an interesting article on this topic I found in the Charisma News:  “5 Reasons Last Week Was Incredibly Prophetic for Israel” by Asher Intrater

The conclusion of the article was particularly poignant:

These events represent a tectonic-plate shift in the spiritual realm. I believe we are crossing into a new period of prophetic fulfillment, whereby Jerusalem becomes both the center of international conflict (Zechariah 12:3clip_image002), and at the same time there is the beginning of a new outpouring of the spirit of grace and supplication (Zechariah 12:10clip_image002[1]).

As all these events take place, let’s make sure we repent and turn our hearts anew to the Lord; so that on an individual level, we ourselves will be submitted to God’s perfect will and aligned to His righteous order.