In the Present Moment with Jesus

By Nancy Johnson

Before I was saved, I went through 14 years of sickness and hopelessness that ended in critical care at the hospital. It all changed when I gave my heart to Jesus. He came bounding in and made me a brand new creation. Jesus told me: “Nancy, you are brand new, you have no reason to even consider the old identity or your past anymore. I can turn this thing around! I am a present God. Right now, my heart beats in your heart and my breath flows into your lungs. You are now living, moving, and having your being in Me.” (Acts 17:28)

A brand new life seemed impossible to me. But God! Every day He took me on an incredible journey. This meant He was with me in every moment. “Trust me,” He kept saying, “I can do this! Even though you are afraid to let me have your life, I can do it!” And I can tell you the past would torture me horribly, and so would the future. The only safe place for me was to lose myself in worship and to think the thoughts of God. And His thoughts were way out of my box. But I continually traded in my ashes for His beauty moment by moment.

Even though all of us live in a battleground, I believe we can live in the fullness of His life and more life. I believe through our hunger and desire for Him, we can constantly engage our powerful Savior. In our praises, we are saturated with Him. In our prayer, we are saturated with Him. It’s walking in awareness and focus. It’s a place where we are no longer conformed to this world but are transformed by the renewal of our minds. (Romans 12:1-2)

I believe God is telling us, as His sons and daughters, that we can trust Him to answer our prayers and to make our paths straight. The carnal mind constantly tries to create death (Romans 8:5-11). But we can renounce that and simply choose life. We can drop down out of our heads, and start to live out of the eternal love in our hearts. Love is powerful and timeless. When you engage with the heart of Jesus, you are in the NOW! It’s a choice to live a life with Love. In that sweet place where your heart is abiding in His, you forget all about your self.

My beautiful family, it’s only Him that we need after all. Right now and present.

By Nancy Johnson

Author of Ask for Your Miracle

engagingjesus.com

Keep The Weeds Out!!!

By Susanne Drawe
Cultivating a Heart After God Day 1
Gardening is a beautiful thing. I love how God made creation to be cultivated, His Life is never ending and it reminds me that I have that continual abundance of His Life in me! It is a beautiful reminder of His Love and Provision for us! But He also reminds us that Life still needs to be cultivated, grown and maintained. God created seed to be reproduced so we in the world can receive God’s best for us. As I work in our garden, He gently reminds me of Proverbs 4:23: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. He reminds me of how vulnerable my heart is, and how precious it is to Him. As I am physically maintaining my garden on the outside, I am constantly searching for weeds in my own heart. Making sure there are no weeds of unforgiveness, out bursts of anger, bitterness, bad attitudes, bad thoughts that I have allowed to take or try to take root in my heart to keep me away from The Giver of Life. And as I go along my garden my Precious Lord reminds me of His Love, Grace, Mercy, His Blood, and His Word that can wash me clean. As I pick out the weeds of my heart, I am filled with gratefulness that He has His Word to take root in my heart. Ephesians 3:17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. My heart overflows with joy knowing that when I set my thoughts on Him, His Word and Love for me that the washing of His Word is filling those weed holes of pain, sadness, unforgiveness, out bursts of anger, bitterness, thoughts of the enemy which produces wrong words and actions. He gently reminds me of Colossians 3:3: For you died (to this world), and your (new Life, who I am in Christ) life is hidden with Christ in God. Galatians 2:20 AMP: I have been crucified with Christ (that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion); it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith (by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting) in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not ignore or nullify The (Gracious Gift of the) Grace of God ( His amazing, unmerited favor), for if righteousness comes through (observing) the Law, then Christ died needlessly. (His suffering and death would have had no purpose whatsoever)!!!! He has made everything available for us to keep up with repentance and to continually have a beautiful relationship with The Father, Who gave His own Son for us. Glory to God ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

The seasons have changed!

By Cheryl Shepherd

This past season has been a whirlwind of ups and downs, wrongs and rights, perhaps a search for a deeper meaning or just prayers for the strength to hold on and navigate the stormy waters! 

Through all of the confusion of this past season, I won’t pretend to understand the purpose or meaning of it all,  but what has become clear is the many things that seem to have overshadowed the former peace and security we once enjoyed as a nation. 

As we grasp for understanding of the meaning behind it all,  I can’t help but feel the heavy weight of the shadow of darkness that has permeated our society.  A darkness that no one has escaped and has touched everyone on some level. 

I woke up this morning with a strong message to SAY GOODBYE!

Say goodbye to the past in preparation of a new and better tomorrow! Better, not in that it will be perfect or the same as the past but in preparation for what lies ahead! 

To everything there is a season and any attempt to hold onto summer in an effort to prevent the fall from coming is futile. I know because I’ve tried! 

Fall has come and there is no way to turn back time and go back to the fun and frivolousness of summer. But with the changing of the new season brings new experiences, new growth and a strength that can only come from completely letting go. Moving into and embracing the change instead of trying to hold onto the previous season is key to the fulfillment of our new journey. 

My husband and I were driving around a curvy narrow lake road when we came upon a baby doe wobbly on his feet, he must have been new born with his beautiful white spots reminding me of the stories of Bambi I loved as a child.  

It became disturbingly apparent that this little guy had no where to go as our car moved quickly toward him. There was only a tall fence between him and the car, and we knew he could never jump that high with his wobbly new legs. 

As we braced for the inevitable impact, my husband and I were in utter shock when we saw him go under the fence through a very small opening, no doubt I thought, called by his wise mother on the other side. 

We each have our own individual path. You may feel like during this season yours has come to an abrupt stop or you have hit a proverbial wall,  however I encourage you to look a bit further beyond this barrier…Is it impenetrable? 

I promise you, whatever barrier has been put before you, your Heavenly father has made a way through, around, below or above and He is calling you to follow His voice! Are you listening? 

Sometimes his voice is hard to hear through all of the chaos and confusion surrounding us, but he promises to guide you through his Holy Spirit if you just take time to listen. 

Quiet yourself and prepare for your new season! … Be still and know that I am God! Ps 143:8

It is with this that I say my final goodbye to this season. 

I embrace the inevitable change that the new season brings with it! 

I release and reject the soul wounds, strongholds and generational curses used by the enemy to keep me from moving forward in the assignment that has been given to me. 

I decree and declare God’s promise over everyone who reads this! 

My prayer for you is that you will join me in this “Goodbye Proclamation” and stand in unity together against the enemy’s plan to have ANY dominion in this new season!

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power. They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick.

Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. NLT

[Isa 43:15-19]

Let’s move into this new season without fear, sadness, regret or remorse but with an acceptance of what was, a complete faith in the deliverance and release of any barriers keeping us from moving forward, and an excited anticipation of a new hope for what is to come!

May God richly bless you and your loved ones in this NEW Season! 

Dreams of Comfort for the Brokenhearted

By Cheryl Shepherd

Have you ever received a dream that you knew was from God for the purpose of providing comfort during a particularly desperate time? If you’re a skeptic, based on my studies in Psychology and Sociology,  I certainly would have agreed before my mind was changed by a very incredible dream.

I was recently reminded, while listening to a story told by evangelist Perry Stone, of how drastically my mind was changed.

Perry spoke of a dream he had about a child that he and his wife had lost lost due to a miscarriage and that reminded me of my own similar experience. In his dream he had a very vivid picture of this precious little girl waiting to meet him in heaven.

What was especially touching about this story was the fact that years later, he came across someone who had painted a picture of this beautiful little girl, matching the little girl in his dream in complete detail down to the ragged stuffed animal she clung to! There were many more facets of the story that were certainly miraculous and reminded me of a time that brought to life a scripture that has become very dear to me. Psalms 34:18 says, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.

Twenty-one years ago I lost my son Billy’s identical twin brother Brandon, due to a rare condition called twin to twin transfusion syndrome.

While I can’t begin to imagine the grief experienced by a mother who has to say goodbye to a child at any age, the impact of this loss for me was a profound one in a different way, yet devastating just as any mother knows who has experienced never being able to meet or hold her unborn child.

At that time there was very little known about twin to twin transfusion syndrome or TTTS. It was explained to me that this was a rare condition that occurs only in identical twins that share the same placenta and transfuse blood through shared blood vessels.

While the prognosis was ironically slightly better for Brandon than Billy, they explained that there was no cure. While I could try to remove amniotic fluid to “buy some time”, (having done this immediately caused me to go into a premature labor), ultimately there was a 10 to 15% chance at best of either of the twins surviving.

At the time of my diagnosis of this rare condition I was about 5 months along and the prognosis for both twins was clearly very bleak. So much so in fact, it was strongly recommended that I abort both babies and “try again later for a healthy pregnancy”. This was not an option for me, so my husband and I returned home from the hospital feeling completely devastated and totally lost!

After crying out to God, I was contacted by a friend who told me about an experimental surgery that was being performed by only one surgeon in the world at that time. He was a surgeon from Venezuela who had developed a surgery that he was performing in Tampa, Florida. We were on the next plane to Tampa for this experimental laser fetal surgery.

The surgery itself went well however Brandon ultimately did not make it.


While this loss was was devastating, what was even more difficult was looking in the closet and seeing all of the twin outfits hanging side-by-side; wondering how I could ever possibly find the strength to take one of each of these outfits out of the closet to discard.

Even more difficult proved to be the required weekly ultrasounds. It was torture Putting on a happy face each week while we watched Billy growing and developing while seeing the lifeless little form of Brandon become smaller and smaller, slowing shrinking away along with all of the dreams of what life should have held for these precious twin boys.

The remainder of the pregnancy became a blur of anger, resentment, pleading, and bargaining with God for a miracle, followed by utter devastation as I reminded myself it was too late for a miracle! 

As Brandon became smaller in the weekly ultrasounds the void in my heart became larger and more encompassing. One day I couldn’t seem to keep from crying all day, I remember my husband sternly saying to me you have to stop this!! You have to be strong for Billy!! You can’t just keep mourning the loss of Brandon you have a healthy baby to think about!

I knew he was right and the guilt I felt was overwhelming! I didn’t know how to stop grieving! I knew I should be celebrating the precious healthy miracle I was carrying inside of me but how could I betray Brandon like that?

At that moment I cried out to God from a place of complete brokenness and asked Him to take away my grief and allow me to experience the joy of this precious miracle He had given me.

This is the moment I knew without a doubt that God was with me and His heart was broken along with mine! I could feel his arms of love around me; comforting me. 

I fell into a deep sleep and I had a dream that I know now, was a glimpse into heaven and the heavenly nursery of unborn babies that Perry Stone talked about in his video.

In my dream I looked through a window like you would see in a hospital infant nursery. What I saw brought about a healing that is hard to even put into words. I saw my sister-in-law Betty, who had tragically died years before, in a rocking chair holding Brandon and gently rocking him. When she noticed me there she looked up at me and had the most precious look on her face, I remember it like it was yesterday. 

Betty had been the only person I would trust with babysitting my older children. She had such a love for children beyond anyone I have ever known. I woke up with a clear image of the pure joy and pride Betty had in cuddling my little Brandon – a look that said he will be alright, I will take good care of him until you get here.

While it would be easy to argue that there was something subconscious or psychological that caused this dream, I know better! God came to me in my brokenness and my despair and He gave me a glimpse into heaven that I believe was very real and beyond just a simple dream.

On July 5, 1999 I gave birth to my twin boys. Celebrating my five pound healthy baby boy Billy, while saying my final goodbye to Brandon.

It was amazing to me that I had ever wondered if I would be able to look at my precious new little miracle without feeling this deep sorrow over the loss of the brother who looks exactly like him.  The truth of the matter is, I don’t believe I could have ever done this on my own.

Is God really there for the brokenhearted? You Bet He Is!!! I am living proof of this promise that he has given us all in His Holy word. 

I want you to know that if you are suffering from a loss today, and you feel there is no escape and no way out of your pain, loneliness, and grief, He wants to bring you comfort- all you have to do is cry out to Him. He promises to be there! 

Cheryl Shepherd

2020FullCircle vision@gmail.com

Perry Stones’s story title “The unborn in Heaven” can be found at:

https://youtu.be/95f_sUTEJKs

Experiencing Grief

By Cheryl Shepherd

Grief is such a strange thing. It seems to know just how much we can handle of it before we will crumble beneath it’s weight.

It shows up suddenly and ever so quietly leaving a wake of shocking raw emotion, then…dissipates into a million pieces, attached to the memories it came with and returning us once again to our previous state… 

-numbness

-denial

-anger

-fear

-regret

…but little by little, doing the job it came to accomplish – forcing us to heal – forcing us to take one more step forward, toward becoming a shadow of who we were before the loss or perhaps who we are meant to be in spite of it.  

We need strength for embracing these times of complete weakness. 

We must be strong and resilient under these unbearable circumstances. One devastating wave after another; one hopeless day after another – Some days ending in an all encompassing fear that we could have never imagined – yet somehow we are not broken. 

It takes great strength to allow grief to take its time in doing what it came to do. 

It takes courage to take care of yourself while being the rock for those who rely on you, in the midst of the brokenness and sorrow. 

Still, we must hold on to hope and allow healing, no matter how painful and at times seemingly pointless. 

 

We must forge ahead for ourselves and for those we love. 

If you are reading this and you have suffered a loss, I know you don’t feel strong in this moment but you ARE strong – you ARE resilient and you WILL survive this…even if only to provide a small ray of hope for someone traveling this desolate path; just to say “you are not alone”. 

You must live life as normal as you can in the wake of such turmoil and sadness.  You must get up each day…wash your face – feel the sunshine on your skin – talk to God – yell at God (He understands), cry and though it may be the most empty words you will ever speak…say “thank you Lord for this day and for the the strength you have given me to make it to tomorrow.”

Then, when tomorrow comes …start the process again. It will get easier. 

And when it would appear that all hope is lost – keep fighting and persevere! Remember you are a conquerer in the greatest battle anyone can face! 

You have suffered a great loss and while it’s true, you may no longer be whole and perhaps you feel that you will never be whole again; you are now an unwilling member of a group of warriors;

-wounded from battle but mending;

-hurting but healing; 

-broken yet finding strength; 

-defeated but continuing to fight this battle to its completion…wherever that may lead.

Above all, please remember to ask God for strength when you feel gripped by the reality of how frightening this road ahead may seem. Allow those who create the interwoven fabric of your life, to support you and continue to push you forward through the blinding pain in the midst of these darkest of moments. 

And when grief has finally done it’s job… you will find the ability to 

-grasp a moment to reflect on a memory 

-a moment to appreciate

-and yes; even a moment to laugh. This will bring healing to your soul.                           

May you be fearless in stepping out and living a life worthy of the memory of your dear loved one. 

Heroes of Holiness Will Arise!

By Robert Hotchkin

As we come into the new era of this new year, God is inviting His people into something that He’s been very intentionally leading up to for more than two decades.

 

For well over 20 years now, God has been pouring out a revelation of His Father’s heart along with the tangible reality of His certain love. This has been one of the main messages and manifestations of charismatic Christianity since heaven invaded the earth through the Toronto Outpouring in early 1994.  It has led to a profound revelation of how radically loved and totally accepted we are in the Beloved (see Ephesians 1:6), as well as an epoch of miracles, signs, and wonders as we press into and worship the One who loves us so.  Bodies have been healed.  Souls have been restored.  Angelic feathers and heavenly gemstones have appeared.  The dead have been raised.  Revivals have broken out.  It’s been glorious. 

 

It has also been building up to something that is strong on God’s heart.  He is inviting you, and all of His people, into right now.

 

What God Has Been Up To

The heavenly agenda of these past 20+ years goes well beyond our realizing how completely loved and accepted we are in Christ.  God’s desire has been that with this realization, the lies and burdens of religious performance would be torn down so that we could more fully and powerfully step into the reason that we are here.

 

Have you ever wondered why we don’t go straight to heaven as soon as we get saved? The answer is right there in Genesis 1:26-28.  

 

Since Day Six, God’s plan has been to have a people in relationship with Him who operate as His agents of impact in the earth, stewarding creation on His behalf and to His glory.  One of the main ways we do this is to realize that we are made in His image (see Genesis 1:26).  Choosing to operate in His character and nature.  Choosing to be holy, for He is holy (see Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8). Not trying to be righteous to earn favor, blessing, or relationship from Him. That’s the doomed, performance-pressure, and striving of religious self-righteousness.  But instead, God desires for us to realize that through the Love Gift of His Son He has made us holy as He is holy.  Not only so that we can be restored to relationship with Him, but from within that relationship we can be champions of righteousness on His behalf – Heroes of Holiness who positively impact all of creation with every righteous decision we make. 

 

You Are So Much More Powerful than you Realize

We see the proof of all this in Romans 5:18-19 (NLT):

 

“Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.  Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”

 

When Adam chose to disobey, it was not just him who was made unrighteous.  It allowed unrighteousness to enter the earth and affect all.  When Jesus chose to obey, it was not Him who was made righteous (He already was), it made righteousness available to all.  Decisions made by those in a relationship with God in the earth impact all of creation.  You have the ability to operate in heroic holiness and make a real difference in the world every time you choose to embrace the power and potential of your righteousness in Christ.

 

The choices you make ripple throughout all creation.  Your decisions not only affect your life, they affect the whole wide world.  Choose sin and darkness, and sin and darkness enter the world.  But, and this is a HUGE BUT, choose to operate in the heroic holiness of who you truly are in Christ, and righteousness ripples throughout the earth. 

Choose love, peace, joy, generosity, fidelity, integrity, patience, faithfulness, mercy, kindness or forgiveness, and they are released out into all the world.

 

Go and Sin No More

In John 8:1-11, we read the story of the woman who was caught in adultery.  When this sinner encounters Jesus she is transformed.  Not only because she is set free from the power of sin by the mercy of Messiah, but also because she is launched into a revelation of her true identity in Christ that will continually transform her life as well as impact all of creation.  This is why Jesus tells her, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11b NKJV).  He is not saying “sin no more” so you will be forgiven.  He already forgave her earlier in verse 11 when He declared that He would not condemn her.  When he invites her to “sin no more,” He is inviting her into a ministry of heroic holiness.  Not to earn mercy forgiveness, favor or blessing – she already has all of that in her born-again relationship with her Savior (see Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3).  But to propel her into what has been God’s plan for her since Day Six – to operate as one of His Dominion Stewards in the earth who shatters darkness by choosing to arise and shine as a Hero of Holiness!

 

Be Holy in All Your Conduct

Look at 1 Peter 1:15-16:

 

“He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

 

If we do not understand who God really is and what He is really like, we could easily misconstrue this passage of scripture in 1 Peter.  It is not a command to perform for acceptance.  It is an invitation to step into our true born-again identity of being made in God’s image and being about our Father’s business in the earth at a level of effectiveness and impact we have yet to even come close to fully realizing or even understanding. 

 

As New Testament believers, 1 Peter 1:15-16 (and the scriptures in Leviticus it echoes back to) are not some religious quid pro quo burden of performance God is laying upon us while saying, “Hey jump through My rule-hoops or I will smite thee!”   No.  This is God reminding us who we really are in Him.  This is God inviting us to step into our true born-again character and nature.  This is God helping us to a global ministry of radical impact in the earth through the decisions we make with our free will to look and sound and act just like our Father in Whose image we are made.  This is how we co-labor with Him as His dominion stewards in the earth!

 

Keep My Commands

We are in a John 14:15 hour.  God is reminding us that if we love Him we will keep His commands. This is not a demand to prove devotion. Or a stipulation to earn favor and blessing.  This is God helping us step into who we truly are and long to be. This is an opportunity for the fulfillment of purpose, potential, and identity at a level we barely comprehend.

 

For 20+ years God has been going out of His way to help us see and know and feel that we are totally and completely loved by Him (see John 3:16). Loving God is not a way to get His love, it is the natural response to the certainty of His love (see 1 John 4:19).  Obeying His commands is not an offering or sacrifice for relationship, it is an embracing of powerful identity and purpose within that relationship. 

 

 Are You Ready to Get Radical?

A company of righteous radicals is arising.  These Heroes of Holiness truly know who they are in Christ.  They know how loved they are.  They know in whose image they are made.  They know all of creation has been longing for them to walk in the power, purpose and passion of their true identity. 

 

These Heroes of Holiness are waking up to the incredible power they have to impact the world through the decisions they make. They know that when they choose to operate in righteousness, patience, honor, unity mercy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, forgiveness, love, peace, joy, gentleness, self-control – when they choose to be who they truly are in Christ – these divine attributes ripple throughout all creation.  The Kingdom comes.  His will is done.  Light shatters darkness.  Territory is taken.  Powers and principalities are torn down.  Not with carnal weapons or natural strength, but with weapons that are mighty in God (see 2 Corinthians 10:4), wielded by Heroes of Holiness who are powerfully aware of who they truly are. 

 

Consecrate Yourself Anew

Do you want to be one of His Heroes of Holiness?  Tell Him today.  Take a Joshua 3:5 moment and consecrate yourself anew, declaring that by His grace and through the leading of His Spirit you will walk in greater and greater fulfillment of who you are truly are in Christ.  He will work wonders in your midst!

 

Robert Hotchkin

Men on the Frontlines / Robert Hotchkin Ministries

e-mail: Robert@menonthefrontlines.com

website:  www.roberthotchkin.com

 

Robert Hotchkin is an author, minister, speaker, and media host.  He is the founder of Men on the Frontlines, and one of the core leaders of Patricia King Ministries. He hosts the weekly Heroes Arise broadcast, co-hosts the show Propel with Patricia King, and is a regular guest and co-host of the show Supernatural Life on GodTV.  Robert’s newest book, 31 Decrees of Blessing for Men, is a powerful daily devotional that activates men to walk in all that they have been blessed with as sons of God.

Kool-Aid And A Cookie

By Kay Franklin

One of my fondest memories from childhood is the cup of kool-aid and a cookie that I would get on Tuesdays after attending Mrs. Butler’s bible class. Mrs. Butler would share a bible story, kool-aid, and a cookie one day each week after school with a room full of elementary school students. It was a highlight for us. As I reflect on those days when we would make our way to her house, I’m grateful to have such a memory to share.  I wonder where the other children are now and if they have continued in walking for the Lord or if they are chasing after “kool-aid and cookies“.

God’s Presence in my life has led me to amazing places. He has blessed me in so many ways. All I can say is that “I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord.”  Psalm 122:1. This verse is significant because we find ourselves quarantined, not gathering. We find ourselves distancing and not huddling together listening to a story while wondering “what flavor kool-aid Mrs. Butler had prepared or what kind of cookies that she would serve“.  I encourage you today that God what God has for you is beyond your wildest dreams. “Eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love Him”.1 Corinthians 2:9.

God bless you!

3 Things Every Christian Must Know During COVID-19

By Robert Hotchkin

We are in the midst of some really interesting and challenging times.  There is all sorts of information, theory, confusion, opinion and conjecture swirling about in regards to this COVID-19 CCP Coronavirus pandemic.

Some voices are shouting that the virus is a man-made conspiracy meant to “thin the herd” with a bio-weapon.  Other voices are barking that it is a natural occurrence and evidence that the earth is trying to “shake off” humanity so it can rebalance its ecosystem.  Then there are voices screaming that this is the judgment of a wrathful God.  And others blaring that it is all a scam – just a deep state power grab and suppression of civil rights.

On top of all that, we also have a cacophony of opinions about the best way to deal with the virus.  Some say masks and gloves help.  Others say they have little or no effect.  There are those who claim ventilators are part of the solution.  Others say, no, ventilators might actually work to weaken the lungs.  And then we probably don’t even have room to get into all the conjecture, theories and arguments about the best drug treatments and vaccine approaches.

What are we to listen to?  What can we trust?  What are we to believe?

As is always the case for Christians, the best person to listen to is Jesus.  He actually taught into this very type of situation more than 2,000 years ago in Matthew 16:13-20.

Remember the story?  He and the disciples are coming into the region of Caesarea Philippi.  As they do, Jesus asks His followers what the report of the world is about Him.  The disciples tell Him that some sources say He is John the Baptist, while other voices are declaring he is Elijah, and then there are those who say He is Jeremiah, and still more proclaiming that He is one of the other prophets.

Jesus gives no heed to any of that.  He doesn’t even address all the theories and opinions being blared out by His day’s version of CNN, MSNBC and Fox.  Instead, He asks them, “Who do you say that I am?”

When Simon Peter responds that Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord says something truly profound that speaks into the very situation we are facing with the swirl of COVID-19 news, media, theory, information and conspiracy:

 

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:17-18 NKJV emphasis added)

 

Jesus is giving Simon Peter kudos for being able to “hear” past the noise of all the voices and opinions and conjecture and agenda and politics of the world, and instead tune into what heaven is speaking and revealing about the situation.  Jesus is showing His disciples then, and all of us now, that the key to thriving and even being blessed in challenging times is to focus on heavenly truth as opposed to earthly debate.  When we do this, He reveals, we will be established in truth, built upon the rock, and empowered as His church and Body. The result will be that nothing of hell will be able to prevail in the earth no matter how well fortified those demonic strongholds seem to be.

So, with that in mind, let’s look at three key heavenly truths that are critical for every Christian to know, and live from, right now. 

 [1]  WHO GOD IS

Who do you say God is during this pandemic?  In seasons of great challenge and need, what you believe about God is huge.  The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever (see Hebrews 13:8).  That means we should not allow our temporary circumstances to impact our revelation of who God is and what God is like.  Just the opposite.  We should allow our revelation of who God always is, and what He is always like, to impact our circumstances.  No matter what is going on in the ever-changing happenings in the earth, the one thing we can count on is that God is the Lord and He does not change (see Malachi 3:6).  That means that God is still God.  He is still healer.  He is still deliverer.  He is still provider.  He is still protector.  He is still good, and He is still well able to bring about the very best results in this current set of circumstances.  COVID-19 has not changed who God is to you, for you, or with you.

 [2]  WHO YOU ARE

There is a reason you did not go home to heaven as soon as you got saved.  It’s because you have a key role to play for the Kingdom here in the earth.  When you said yes to Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you were not only forgiven of your sins and restored to relationship with your Heavenly Father for all eternity.  You were also restored to the plan He has had since Day Six – to have children made in His image who operate in His deputized authority and Holy Spirit power as His dominion stewards in the earth.  You want to know what God’s plan is to deal with COVID-19?  Look in the Word (see Genesis 1:26-28).  Then look in the mirror.  It’s you!  He knows it (see Luke 10:19).  He needs you to know it.  So that you start operating in the power and authority He has given you to heal the sick, raise the dead, feed the hungry, bring peace to the panicked, send forth His never-failing Word in intercession, pray for our leaders, and basically arise and shine because there is darkness in the earth that needs dealt with (see Matthew 10:1, 8; Matthew 14:16; Isaiah 55:11; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Isaiah 60:1-1, and John 14:12)!

 [3]  ALL THAT YOU HAVE

2 Peter 1:3 is a great scripture to be meditating on right now.  It reminds you that by God’s great and divine power, He has blessed you with everything pertaining to life and godliness.  Did you catch that?  EVERYTHING.  Isn’t that amazing?!  Whatever you need for everyday life – He has blessed you with it.  Whatever you need to put God on display through your life – He has blessed you with it.  Not will bless you with it one day in the sweet by-and-by if you are good.  But has blessed you with it here and now because He is amazing.  So no need to panic.  No need to fear.  No need to hoard.  You have it.  And He will lead you into all of it (see Psalm 23:1-3).  This will allow you to look, sound and act differently than the rest of the world right now.  To be at peace when others are anxious.  To be confident when others are shaken.  To be a source of blessing, encouragement, wisdom, solutions, love, compassion, joy and much, much more when others are feeling bereft.  As you look and sound different from the rest of the world, the world will eventually take notice and ask why.  That’s when you get to share with them the greatest thing you have been blessed with – Jesus!

Don’t let the WHO, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, YouTube, your next-door neighbors, or anyone or anything else tell you what is true right now.  Let the Word of the Lord speak to you.  Let eternal truth remind you.  Let your Heavenly Father and His Holy Spirit edify, encourage and empower you.  Let them remind you who God is, who you are, and all that you have been blessed with in Christ Jesus.  Because when you do, COVID-19 will not stand.  And neither will anything else hell tries to send at you.

  

Robert Hotchkin is an author, minister, speaker and media host.  He is the founder of Men on the Frontlines, and one of the core leaders of Patricia King Ministries. He hosts the weekly Heroes Arise broadcast, co-hosts the show Propel with Patricia King, and is a regular guest and co-host of the show Supernatural Life on GodTV.  Robert’s newest book, 31 Decrees of Blessing for Men, is a powerful daily devotional that activates men to walk in all that they have been blessed with as sons of God.

Between Fake and Authentic: a Lost Identity

By Roula El Azzi

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

As a woman living in the Middle East in a country called Lebanon, I can say it is very challenging to stay simple and natural. Plastic surgeries have invaded our society and the media has had a big role in promoting it. Today, our society is suffering from fake beauty, fake identity, and loss of confidence in God who wonderfully and fearfully created each one of us.

The beauty of the woman has always been considered an important measure of her worth in society. As a woman, this made me always wonder “what if I am not physically beautiful according to the fake criteria of beauty?” I wanted to stay natural and simple without relying on heavy make-up, plastic surgery, or clothes that do not reflect my personality.

For several years, my label was “the girl with the big teeth”. It hurt, but I persisted in fixing my dental issues without changing my authentic identity. Even when in desperate moments I tried to copy others in following the latest trends and fashions and failed, the question of what authentic beauty that amazes the soul and create a lasting print of uniqueness in life is has always been on my mind. I asked myself this up until the day my soul met the one who loved me unconditionally; “Jesus”.

Experiencing Jesus was a turning point in my life, and yet I kept struggling with my physical appearance for several years until one day, I was on my knees praying and crying to the Lord: Please Lord let me see myself through your eyes only, not mine, not the eyes of the people around me, not the society’s, ONLY through your eyes! Suddenly, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder, peace and calmness filled my heart… I stopped weeping, stood on my feet and looked at the mirror… In that very moment I felt like I was out of time and space, as if I was looking at another person, a beautiful charming woman full of life. I touched my face in wonder, asking in a loud voice: “Roula is that really you?! Wow!” I saw myself as the most beautiful woman I have ever met! Since then, I understood that my identity is in Jesus Christ, and that nothing in this world can make me more beautiful than how He sees me.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1Peter 3:4

How does a woman living according to God’s call live in the modern world and remain an influence to others, a role model to follow who is not affected by the world? By wearing the righteousness of God and not the latest trends of the world, by reading the word of God and not the words of labels, by hearing the voice of God and not the voice of bullying, by knowing who she is in Christ and not in the opinions of the world. Jesus saved us and gave us eternal life, He gave us power over all of the plans Satan has prepared to destroy our peace and joy in the Lord. His precious blood shed on the cross is our worth, Let’s rejoice in Him!

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Satan’s goal is to destroy the holy image of the woman. He works on making her out as a commodity for sexual lust, a tool for seduction and a shopping robot. We all, as women of God, have at times fallen into this trap, but our Lord did not leave us without guidance. He gave us His words as a lamp to our feet and His Holy Spirit to guide us in every step.

We all have an invitation today to remember our identity in Christ, to embrace His love, and accept ourselves as He created us.

His light is shining upon our lives, revealing the truth and unmasking Satan’s lies. His voice is calling; let us wake up to our true mission, a mission to make life, to speak life, and to give life to whoever needs it. To be the bride of the groom, loved unconditionally, cherished and honored, while remembering His words: You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Song of Songs 4:7

Daddy’s Face

By Sara Obeid

Seek My Face”My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Ps 27) 

I have always been learning about the importance of seeking the Face of God before anything else! But I never truly understood what it means until I had my son John (who is 2 years old now).

Newborns do not have our developed vision, all they see is blurry and the focus gets clear at 8 inches! Did you know that the most interesting object for newborns to look at is the face? When I came to think about it, it made lots of sense! ·

It is the center of interaction with others.  It is where our emotions appear through our mouth smiling, our eyes crying, our voice changing, etc… It is also where we can effectively communicate with each other. So I could see my baby's big smile whenever he saw my face! It was the highlight of his life. 

I learned that seeking God's face is important for genuine interaction with Him. But that was not everything.

One night as I was putting John to sleep, it hit me. I had been in his bed for more than 40 minutes waiting on him to doze off. He finally closes his eyes and starts snoring, oh the joy! few minutes later, he wakes up as i maneuver to escape, crying he turns around and touches my face; he put his fingers in my nose, on my eyes, my lips, checking my teeth and suddenly this peace fills him and I could feel as he went back to calm breathing. In few seconds, he went back to sleep.

It was a new revelation to my soul! Seeking His face gives me PEACE! It is not only seeking God's approval and interaction, but it is also resting in the knowledge of Daddy's presence and touching His eyes and mouth. It is about memorizing His features and details, knowing that He did not forsake me and never will. It was more than just seeking the face of “God”, it is the comfort in seeking Daddy's face. I discovered that I needed to walk into the childlike faith where I would reach out to touch my Daddy's face even if my eyes are closed and allow His peace to fill me.

“The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”(Num 6)