Tag Archive for: good news

The Gospel in it’s simplicity

The call to spread the gospel is a fundamental responsibility of every Christian. The Apostle Paul poignantly raises critical questions in Romans 10:14-15: *“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”* These inquiries emphasize the urgency of our mission. The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19, commands us to go and make disciples of all nations, highlighting that sharing the gospel is not merely an option but a divine mandate we must obey. Yet, in today’s world, we encounter a troubling trend where various gospels proliferate, often overshadowing the true message of redemption that Christ preached.

In our contemporary context, many individuals present their own versions of the gospel, often focusing on prosperity, material possessions, and fulfilling the desires of the masses. This so-called prosperity gospel diverts attention from the core message of Christ and creates a distorted view of salvation. The urgency to understand the true gospel has never been more pressing, as we must return to the foundational truths that Christ preached to both the Jews and Gentiles—truths that emphasize the necessity of repentance and redemption.

To present the gospel simply, we must first acknowledge the fundamental problem of sin, which disrupted the perfect relationship between humanity and God. From the moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, as recorded in Genesis, sin entered the world, leaving humanity in a state of depravity. This separation from God highlights that man, inherently sinful, cannot save himself. Romans 3:23 states, *“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”* underscoring our collective need for salvation. The reality is stark: without divine intervention, humanity faces eternal condemnation and the wrath of God.

Yet, amidst this dire situation, we find the profound love and mercy of God. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that *“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”* God, in His justice and mercy, does not abandon us in our sin but actively seeks to reconcile us to Himself. This reconciliation came at a tremendous cost: the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. As Paul explains in Romans 5:8, *“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”* Through this act of unparalleled love, our transgressions were laid upon Christ, who bore the punishment we deserved.

In this divine exchange, God provided a means for humanity to be justified and made righteous. The blood of Jesus washed away our sins, restoring the broken relationship between God and man. Through faith in Christ, we receive forgiveness and a renewed standing before God. This restoration emphasizes that God invites us to respond with urgency; we must acknowledge our sinfulness and place our faith in Jesus, believing in His resurrection. Romans 10:9 states, *“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”*

In conclusion, presenting the gospel in its simplicity is a call to communicate the profound truths of sin, redemption, and reconciliation. It challenges us to strip away the distractions of modern interpretations and return to the heart of Christ’s message. As we embrace the Great Commission, let us not be swayed by the myriad of gospels that seek to dilute the truth but instead proclaim the authentic gospel of redemption. This is our sacred calling: to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a world desperately in need of hope and salvation. Let us remain faithful to our mission, trusting that through our obedience, many will hear and respond to the life-changing message of the gospel.

By Wilson Loidimu Lenantare
Karatina, Nyeri

Prophetic Word For Year 5785/2025: Witchcraft Control & Wealth Transfer

On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024, we start a new biblical year with the Lord, 5785.

I want to remind you that 5784 (2024) was marked as a “Kingdom Era” and the “Gates of Glory.” 5784 focused on the power of our voices in spiritual warfare to open doors of blessing and invite God's presence, as highlighted in Psalm 24. We were encouraged to be vigilant in our faith declarations to experience a new phase of revival and Kingdom authority. (Link to article). I experienced new gates of glory in my attitude, the fruit of the Spirit, and a new authority in my personal life and ministry. Have you?

As for 5785/2025, this is what I believe the Holy Spirit is showing me. The reason God reveals these things to us is that He is the Spirit of Truth, who reveals things to come to help us discern times and seasons and do something about it for His glory and to serve the earth better. I mention this because some approach prophetic words like horoscopes or in a psychic mode, thereby contaminating what is holy.

We prophesy in part, and this is what I see coming:

In 5785/2025, the spirit of control will continue escalating. It is beyond what we see and whom we blame! People are just vessels to an invisible will or wills. We think we are in control, and we are to some extent, yet the spiritual realm is involved all the time, with the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness at hand. So, it goes beyond governments, laws, or platforms of authority; it is a spirit of control, which is witchcraft.

From the beginning of time, there has been God, who partners with man through his FREE WILL and faith, and there is the devil, who oppresses and forces things upon us, which is the nature of the spirit of witchcraft. To illustrate this, let me explain what witchcraft is by nature. (Watch my free masterclass on witchcraft)

Witchcraft in its highest form is a force that blocks truth or the knowledge of God's truth by oppressing man's free will and subduing it to agree with it to allow it into the earth.

When someone goes to a witch or psychic asking them to put a spell on someone to MAKE THEM fall in love, this is witchcraft. Where is that person's free will? Now demons are involved to oppress this person against their free will. That person can still choose, but they are now under oppression, feeling they have no other choice but to love. The one casting the spell is also deceived and foolish. I would never want someone to be forced to love me; that isn't true love! True love is a communication of one's free will, like JESUS, who freely loves us and invites us to love Him back willingly!

After explaining a bit about the spirit of control and witchcraft, let's go back to the word of the Lord for 5785/2025.

The spirit of control will escalate!!! You can call it government, laws, technology, etc., but it is a spiritual war. Control is exercised by threatening a person's assets and provisions. Lebanon went through this and is still experiencing it! No Lebanese can access their funds in the banks. This is not due to a legal restriction or protecting our economy from an instant crash upon withdrawal; it is witchcraft in action—it is illegal and unjust!

This year, we will witness an escalation of this controlling spirit and the unlocking of more depths and hierarchies of these spirits of control. Where is the good news? Glad you asked. It is in the title of this word: “Wealth Transfer.”

It is a year for wealth transfer! But it will be established after a battle. God commanded the Egyptians to give back and more to His people everything they needed to leave slavery and worship Him in the wilderness. I'd rather worship the Lord in a wilderness with less than be a slave in Babel.

God wants to release wealth to His people, but He has at the top of His list those who are ready to worship Him with these assets and treasures. You may receive some too, because He loves you! But God wants to entrust His worshipers with wealth to advance His Kingdom on earth.

Those not in covenant with God will experience the suffering and oppression of the spirit of control. Let's also remember (BECAUSE WE WON'T FORGET, though we forgive) how they forced everyone to take the COVID-19 vaccines (I didn't). Control is the mark of the beast! That was not a preventive approach or precaution to save humanity though we thank them for their love, care, and efforts; but it was a spirit of control/witchcraft. That was witchcraft in the health area. This year, it could manifest in other realms and areas too! Be watchful.

If you belong to the Lord, He is your economy, and you are not under the oppression of the spirit of witchcraft. God will even use you to break this oppression off of others. So, let's say you are a Christian banker: be just, even if it costs you, for God will bless you back! Freedom is costly, and serving others in the goodness of the Lord is too!

You can pray about this prophetic word and position yourself now to take authority over what is coming, not out of fear, but out of faith and discernment of times and seasons. You can mark your soul, body, health, assets, family, house, cars, job, etc., as the Lord's and not for the spirit of control.

God is greater, and His glory on you shall be seen in the coming gross darkness. Let’s escalate in His glorious freedom as we advance in the end times and keep reaching out to a dying world crying for the Savior. Preach, Church!

We appreciate your sowing into us for this year. You never go wrong by sowing intentionally to the Lord and this ministry, declaring that you honor the Lord with your finances, and that money is not an idol for you; it is not your source—God is. Thanks for your generous sowing! You can sow prophetically too and have fun creatively by playing with numbers 57.85, 578.5, 20.25, or 202.5 or more.

Yes, I want to sow now!

You can also request the year prophetic word for 5785/2025 or your birthday year too, and we will pray for you and send you the word of the Lord.

Yes, Prophesy For Me Please.

Happy Blessed New Year in the Lord, y’all!
Tony Francis

Transforming Your Mind Into A Tree of Life

Our minds are beautiful servants but not masters, you are!  Sometimes, negative or upsetting thoughts get stuck on repeat, painful memory, worries about the future, harsh self-criticism, or fear for your health. This can feel draining and frustrating. But there's a way to take back control based on these scientific revelations.

The Power of Repetition

Our brains are like well-worn paths. The more we think about something, the more automatic that thought becomes. That's why those upsetting thoughts just won't quit!

How to Shift Your Focus

Here's the good news: you can change those thinking patterns. Try these simple strategies:

  • Notice, Don't Fight: When an unwanted thought pops up, just notice it without getting hooked. Imagine it floating away like a balloon.
  • Switch Your Thoughts: If you think, “I'll never get this done,” replace it with “I'll take it step-by-step.”
  • Get Busy: Find something to distract you – take a walk, listen to music, or try a puzzle. Distraction breaks the cycle.

You Have the Power

It takes practice, but you can weaken those unwanted thoughts and get rid of them! Think of it as creating new, healthier trails in your mind. With time and effort, you'll find more peace and control over your thoughts.

The Bible encourages us to be intentional about our thoughts. It tells us we can renew our minds and focus on what is positive and good (Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8).

God bless you
Tony Francis

Overcoming Drug Addiction

Are you enslaved or troubled by habitual use of various narcotic, stimulant, or mind-influencing drugs (including alcohol)? Do you have symptoms of physical, emotional, or mental addiction? You may not have a sickness, but a sin problem that causes enslavement and sickness.

Jesus Christ has done something about your problem. He came to liberate you from such problems and enable you to gain self-control, a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).

What Scripture Says

Everything is permissible for me — but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me — but I will not be mastered by anything” (I Corinthians 6:12).

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

The Spirit of the Lord is on me because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power, He gives orders to evil spirits and they come out (Luke 4:18-21, 36).

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15).

He who does what is sinful is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work (I John 3:8).

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:1, 13).

What Can You Do?

Take seriously the bondage in which you are involved. God cares about you and has a solution.

Your real problem is not an incurable illness, but sin. And Jesus came to deal with sin (I Corinthians 5:11). You need to be spiritually reborn and baptized with the Holy Spirit. You need to change your life patterns. You also may need help for deliverance from drugs and healing.

Be bold. Take a fearless inventory of your life. Ask for help from your family, Christian friends, a local pastor, The 700 Club (call 800-759-0700), or another Christian ministry that cares. Or call Teen Challenge or a local drug hotline.

It is said that it takes thirty-one days to break a habit. Drug addiction is a “life dominating” problem, so radical changes must be made regarding associates, social atmosphere, places frequented, etc. Replacement, not abstention, is the key.

You need to keep busy and occupy your mind with new things (Philippians 4:8,9). Learn to yield yourself to Christ rather than to drugs, old friends, self-pity, guilt, fear, etc.

How to be Spiritually Reborn

God has a plan for your salvation. Call on the Lord to save you mind, body and soul (I John 1:9). Receive Him as your Savior and Lord (John 1:12). Believe Him. He said He would not turn anyone away. He loves you and gave His life for you (John 3:16,17).

How you can know you are forgiven:

The Bible, God's Word says:

You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God's gift to you, and you have done nothing on your own (Ephesians 2:8).

For those who put their faith in Jesus: He gave them the right to be the children of God… God Himself was the one who made them His children (John 1:12-13).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

Once you become a Christian, you can have God's power available through the Holy Spirit. You will be able to live as God intended (Ezekiel 36:27). The Holy Spirit empowers you to help others (Acts 1:8), He aids and teaches you (John 14:26; I Corinthians 2:13), and guides you into truth (John 16:13) and in life (Acts 10:19; 13:2; 16:6).

You may want to ask someone already baptized with the Holy Spirit to pray with you. Just as you asked the Lord to forgive your sins, believing He would, ask Him now to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). He promised to do so, so take Him at His Word that He does what you ask. Thank and praise Him for being a God who does as He promises.

Tell someone else what you've done. Other Christians and the church will rejoice with you and help you. The angels rejoice with you. God rejoices with you.

As You Pray

Thank God for His love, concern, and power to save and deliver. Renounce the drugs, old friends, and hangouts connected with your drug problem. Yield yourself to Jesus. Thank Him for coming into your heart and filling you with the Holy Spirit. Take Him at His word and thank Him for delivering you from drugs.

Prophetic Word For Year 5784/2024: Kingdom Era & Gates of Glory

Three years ago we stepped into a whole new decade on God’s calendar when we entered the biblical year 5780. 80 According to messianic Jews and some Christian gentiles who study the times and seasons say it refers to the word PEY which means THE MOUTH. We all know and experienced the huge worldwide attacks on our mouths and breaths when COVID-19 hit in 2020/5780.

I tell you the truth, the devil's war is always against the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth and he is not very much concerned about others who are not in Christ and have no authority over him. The Church of Yeshua threatens the devil so badly and he has no problem shutting down the whole earth if he can just to try to annihilate the Church in every season of power and glory. Let's remember that wicked laws for a whole nation were erected just to resist one person in the Old Testament and that was the prophet Daniel. What about Elisha the prophet when a whole ferocious well-equipped army strategized against him to come his way, arrest him, and kill him because he kept exposing their secrets and war tactics to the King of Israel? Don't be surprised my brothers and sisters when I tell you that, let's know our bible really well and our defeated foe we are resisting in the name of the Lord.

PEY, the mouth should mean a lot to the enemy that we saw him paralyzing all nations for the sake of it. Why? Why all that attack over the mouth, the words of authority, the breath of God in the Church, the sons and daughters of glory? Not only do we see the enemy trying to shut our mouths literally with masks but also we see the rise of oppression and persecution over the Christian voices in media especially and all kinds of other platforms. We also see the overwhelming release of demonic voices in the form of agendas, activities, and movies on big famous media altars. What's going on? It is surely a war, a huge war against the VOICE in the earth. Who will own the voice of dominion? The Light or darkness?

In 2023, the Lord gave me a huge weighty prophetic word that was confirmed by highly esteemed prophetic and apostolic voices in the body of Christ. As soon as I released that prophetic word, the next day and in hours, I saw the confirmations and I was amazed at how God confirms his word when he wants to establish it.

I am not going to paste the prophetic word of 2023/5783 here, I will refer it to you if you want to read it again because it is powerful and it is not the end of it BECAUSE we build on those words, from glory to glory. You can click here to read it!

I can tell you one thing only about that word: God works in cycles and I have discovered that things shift when it is 3 (3 months, 3 years, etc.). In 2023, Three years after 2020, the Lord gave this word to us:

“As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.” Daniel 7:21-22 (Read full word here)

The word of the Lord for 2023 was that God is moving us from the Church age to the Kingdom age where his people will be like Joseph in high secular places. Also, it was the year when the Ancient of Days started rising and pronouncing judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the Kingdom.

September 15th, 2023 we step into a whole new biblical year in the Lord 5784. We are still in the decade of the 80s (PEY, MOUTH, BREATH, VOICE) and we still have 6 years to wrap the PEY decade. But I believe that something shifted in 2023/5783 after 3 years cycle of heavy warfare the earth didn't see before on that scale and I believe from now on we will see Daniel 7:21-22 coming to pass more and more in Jesus' name. It is the day for the new wine!

What is the Holy Spirit saying about the biblical year 5784/2024? 

First of all, I want you to know what I am going to share with you here comes from the Holy Spirit who led me to research some things closely and heard from him directly without further knowledge of Hebrew mysteries. Following the Holy Spirit is marvelous and amazing to me and you will know why as you continue reading!

Remember we are building on the prophetic word of 2023/5783, so let's keep the context strong and together. Many prophets said that Psalm 23 was for the year 2023/5783 and I also got my own personal witness and conviction from the Lord about it. Actually, I wrote a whole book (that I was not planning but God has it in mind) and it is based on Psalm 23 “My Cup Overflows” – A devotional, prayers, and decrees for your increase! When we stepped in January 2023, the Holy Spirit mandated me to write it, and I did it by his grace and released it in a week, yep It was supernaturally made, praise God! It is God's heart for his people to be prepared for increase and the inspired chapters given to me by the Holy Spirit deal with specific areas of life to help us experience the GOD increase in them. (You can learn more about it here)

Now, after mentioning all this I can share with you what I believe the Holy Spirit is revealing to us about 5784/2024 because God is all about anointing us to know times and seasons to align with him, be aware and watchful, and advance his purposes in his light!

Holy Spirit told me to research the Hebrew pictogram of the number 4 in 5784, and that is the letter dalet which means “DOOR, ENTRANCE”. When I got to know the meaning of it, I felt the Holy Spirit reminding me of PSALM 24, which I was just reading last night. Isn't it awesome how God orchestrates things and prepares them for us ahead of time? Halleluiah.

Let's read Psalm 24:

“The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.” NKJV

Yes, you saw correctly the word gate/door mentioned many times in Psalm 24. How did the gate lift up and open for the King of Glory to come in? Through the VOICE command. The PEY, the mouth, and voice declarations, the decade of 80. Hey, It gets better! The Holy Spirit then told me to sum the total of 5784 (5+7+8+4) and to my amazement, it is the number 24. God first told me about Psalm 24 in my heart after knowing that 4 means a DOOR/ENTRANCE and then he told me to sum 5784 which is 24. I don't know about you but Holy Spirit to me is addictive!

While I was doing some research I read this: “Messianic scholars believe that these symbolic meanings of the number 4 are relevant to the messianic age. They believe that the number 4 will play a role in the events that lead up to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of his kingdom.” Also, dalet is linked to a meaningful name of God which is “The True Judge”. Do you remember the word for 2023? The Ancient of Days judging for the saints and overturning laws and empowering them to move from Church to Kingdom in the world and the marketplace? We will see this happening in 5784, in the 4 corners of the earth, a worldwide revival in Jesus' name.

I believe God will place his people in high places using their COMMANDING VOICE (Psalm 24) to open the gates for the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ to be established on the earth. Like every other prophetic promise we receive, we need to battle for it! “There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.” 1 Corinthians 16:9

If this is not an exciting day for the Church to be alive, I don't know what else is exciting!

Lord make us part of your GREAT move in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!

Get ready folks and share the good news.

Happy New Year and blessed Rosh Hashanah to you!

Tony Francis

If this blesses you and minister to you, consider sowing your seed where you are fed. Click here to make a donation of any amount you feel led to give!

Also, you can request a personal prophetic word that covers this new year 5784/2024. Request “The Year Prophetic Word” by Email or WhatsApp. Click here.

Changing the Culture of the Spheres of Influence through the Beatitudes

Changing the Culture of the Spheres of Influence through the Beatitudes y Lilian Schmid – Strategist and Prayer Coordinator for The Prayer Strategy Spheres of Influence International 

Introduction

How can we use Jesus’ Command to “love one another” (John 13:33-34) change the 21st century culture which is affected by sin: every sphere of influence in our society has been corrupted and affected by the ungodly activities which are operating to destroy humanity. Modern life has become multi-faceted and hectic with the following spheres/domains dominating and competing for ours and our families' time, money, affections and ambitions. These spheres or domains are:

  • Business and Finance
  • Government and the Military
  • Law and Justice
  • Faith and Philosophy
  • Creative Arts
  • Education
  • Charity and Not for Profit Welfare
  • Health and Science
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Sport and Recreation

In the Old Testament God promised to mend that which had been lost in the Fall by reinstituting peace on earth. Through Ezekiel, the Lord looked forward to such restoration for his people:

“And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and multiply them, and I will put my Temple among them forever. I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Ezek 37:26-27).

Peace will come by God’s effort. The result will be material blessing and, most importantly, a mended relationship between people and God. The prophet Isaiah brought a message similar to that of Ezekiel: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns” (Isa 52:7).  God’s peace is integrally related to his salvation, to the restoration of his reign on earth. When God saves, he will restore his kingdom so that those who live under his rightful rule will experience the fullness of his peace.

Jesus entered the world as the one who would fulfil the mission of the Suffering Servant, thus bringing divine peace. Even before Jesus was born, one of his relatives proclaimed what God was about to do: “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79)

How the Beatitudes will Bring Change to the Spheres of Influence in Our Society

“The beatitudes reveal to us eight qualities that bring God's blessing: meekness and mercy, poorness in spirit and purity of heart, mourning and hunger, peacemaking and persecution. Jesus highlighted these to offer both encouragement and instruction on living distinctly as his followers in a world with values much different from God's. As we study these qualities and integrate them into our lives, we will receive the blessing Jesus promised to his followers then and now”.
(The Beatitudes: Developing Spiritual Character by John R.W. Stott)

Looking at the Beatitudes as a kind of ladder, an ascent, we can discover some amazing things about spirituality and its fundamental relationship to the world. The Beatitudes have intense significance in a world where many Christians want to change others and the world from the top down, through forced conformity rather than genuine conversion. The Beatitudes are the essence, the lifeblood and beating heart of authentic, ancient and living Christianity. They are (from Mt 5:3-10):

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Beatitudes express the idea that peace comes from peacemakers who are characterised by their poverty of spirit, their ability to mourn for the world, their lack of attachments or clinging to personal rights, their hunger for the healing of the world, their extreme mercy extended even towards their worst enemies, and their purity of heart. Peacemakers, according to Christ, are the instruments who bring peace to the world because they exemplify these characteristics. Change comes from the inside and moves towards the external. Peacemakers are persecuted because they present a challenge to authority which compels from the outside but cannot penetrate the interior.

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount begins by talking about the kingdom of heaven. A kingdom has a king, subjects, a place, and the ways of the king and his kingdom. It is where this particular king is reigning. So when Jesus teaches, He is not just advocating rules or giving advice. He is talking about a place or, more accurately, a realm where the ruler is God. And what is God’s kingdom like? What is God like as a king? Who are His subjects? And what are the ways of God? You can see that Jesus speaks about all these things in the Beatitudes. We learn about who the subjects of this kingdom are: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, etc. The true King of this universe is the One who gives the kingdom, who comforts, gives the earth to His children, and so on. Jesus is telling them about the wonder and goodness of living under the reign of God. The creator of this universe is the king of every sphere of influence, Jesus is the author of these spheres and we are the witnesses to bring real changes into them by proclaiming God’s kingdom on each one of them.

How the Kingdom will manifest its Power in the Spheres

First of all Jesus is speaking about the kingdom as a present and future reality. We can truly possess the kingdom of heaven here and now on the earth. We can enjoy the truth of this at least to some extent. The people of the kingdom are blessed. The word “blessed” always implies that the one doing the blessing is God. To be blessed is to be favoured or honoured by God. “Blessed” is a passive term. The one who is blessed is receiving from God His notice and favour. We can bring blessing to others that we meet within our sphere of influence.

So who are those who are blessed in the kingdom of heaven? And why are they blessed? In looking over the Beatitudes, we are immediately struck that Jesus is saying the unexpected, to say the least! The qualities of the blessed on Jesus’ teaching are not at all what we think of when we consider those we believe to be blessed.

To be blessed is to have value as human beings from our (Government), to have good health (Health and Science), to be secure and protected (Law and Justice), have great success in one’s endeavours (Business), creative and artistic (Arts), athletic (Sport and Recreation), freedom of speech and ideas (Faith and Philosophy), rich in Knowledge (Education), helping others in need to live (Charity and Not For Profit Welfare), spreading Christian values through technology (Media). These are the qualities we tend to associate with being blessed.

Jesus brings a new dimension to human life through the Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes he teaches us the quality of life that we are hungry for. Every sphere of influence needs these kingdom qualities to be proclaimed in them. The qualities He includes are actually what we would normally consider indications of someone not being blessed! The person who we naturally think is blessed is favoured to have the kingdom of heaven now and a future fullness in comfort, inheritance, satisfaction, mercy, etc. The blessing then that these people receive is not to be poor in spirit, mourning, or meek. Rather, the presence of these qualities is thought to be a sign that the person is not cursed, but actually blessed. Paradoxically in Jesus teaching one can be called blessed when they are poor in spirit because being poor in spirit is a sign that she/he is looking for the very thing God the King is giving: His kingdom. You can see that there is a connection in the message of Jesus between the person who is blessed and why they are blessed, where every person who is a witness to Christ in the Marketplace can bring a blessing to these domains or spheres.

God our King desires indeed to bless us, to bless our families, our church, our work. Through our mission we can transform our society by applying the teaching of the Beatitudes through each one of us. We can be a part of bringing the reality of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. To understand that to be blessed here and now is to find we are being made ready to receive all these things forever.

Jesus is telling us about His kingdom. We see that God greatly desires to bless His people in a full and complete way. God is not going to give sparingly – just some comfort, or a small inheritance. And what God is doing in His people now, when He is blessing them, is that He is making them able more and more to hope in, receive, long for, the very riches He is giving. If we are in Christ we are a new creation: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Co 5:17).

So as blessed people:

  • Let us be rich in God’s Kingdom who is the provider of all richness in this wor Colossians 3:16
  • Let us be comforted to be free, Jesus gave us freedom the moment he gave his life on the cross. Galatians 3:1-14
  • Let us inherit the earth because we are sons and daughter of God’s Kingdom. Psalm 2:7
  • Let us be righteous and let God’s light shine through us. Matthew 5:14
  • Let us receive mercy and grace, and be merciful to others Matthew 8:14-17
  • Let us have Jesus’ heart and receive His unconditional love to love others as He loved us. John 3:16
  • Let us be peacemakers and bring unity across the body. John 13:35
  • Let us handle persecution with perseverance; then we may understand the fullness of God’s mercy and grace. John 25:20

Amen.

Blessed with Open Heavens + Decrees & Prayer

The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. Deuteronomy 28: 12

We discover from this beautiful verse that the heavens are God’s good treasures. Rich treasures are of no benefit to you if they are closed but the good news is THE LORD will open it to you and he did in Christ.

You have access all the time to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in times of need. Times of need are here on earth, so you need to access Heaven now.

Jesus said: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6: 19-21

We know that earth is also a treasure but surrounded by dangers every day and is not secure like Heaven. Jesus is inviting you to lay UP for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break and steal it.

We understand from Ephesians 1:13 that God has blessed us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”

In this verse, God is sending you the map location of your treasures. Let’s unfold this:

1-   The blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is blessed HAS blessed you. God is the initiator of your blessings and he already released it to you (HAS is past tense). Know that you will not be blessed, you are already!

2-   How much did God bless you with? “With every spiritual blessing”. He gave you his Son and with him everything! You are crazily rich (YES SAY IT). A spiritual blessing yet invisible is real. It is important to know the hidden form of your blessings to know what and how to download it.

3-   Where are your blessings hidden? “In the heavenly places in Christ”. They are in high places, in the God realm, hidden in a person, not in a box in heaven! Christ is your treasure, your portion and in him, there is everything you need.

Now that you know your treasure is in Christ who is in the heavenly places, you pray it down on Earth as it is in Heaven or your blessings will be forever floating in the spiritual realm. If you see it you can have it.

That’s why the Spirit of revelation is so important to know the things God has given to you. God gave you the Holy Spirit for a reason, not for a season! He is the revealer.

To wrap this up, God blessed you with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ. But Jesus also said you can lay up treasures in Heaven, in the spirit realm.

As a steward, are you increasing your skills for the Kingdom of Heaven? Are you laying up souls in the kingdom? You can deposit things and people in your heavenly bank account for the glory of God. It is both ways! Hallelujah

“And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.” Acts 10: 4


Christianaire Decrees & Prayer:

In Christ:

  • I am Blessed among all
  • I am Blessed in the City
  • I am Blessed in the Country
  • I am Blessed with Fertility & Fruitfulness
  • I am Blessed with Provision
  • I am Blessed in Locations
  • I am Blessed with Victory
  • I am Blessed at Work
  • I am Blessed in Identity
  • I am Blessed with Abundance
  • I am Blessed with Open Heavens
  • I am Blessed with Intimacy with God

Heavenly Father, thank you for the revelations you showed me in this book, I ask you to breathe on these seeds, help me walk it out gloriously to experience and live the quality of life you want me to live.

Bless me today with abundance as you did to Jabez because he prayed, believed and positioned himself to receive and you made him great. He started small but you made him great because no one stays insignificant when you touch him.

Touch me now, stretch me and fill me with every good thing you have in store for me, you bless me and make me a blessing for your glory.

Lord, you are my greatest blessing and as your priest, you are my portion forever! AMEN

Tony Francis

This post was taken from my book “Blessed in Christ”- How to live like a Christianaire. I felt today I need to share with you this specific portion that you are blessed with open heaven and I wanted to release those decrees and prayer over you. If you want to read the rest of my book feel free to visit any of those resources below. Also available on Amazon!

She killed him then he killed her

When Elijah the prophet fled because he got scared of Jezebel's threatening to take his life, he became tired, drained, depressed, and suicidal but it started with fear. Then God met him on the mountain in the cave, and asked him what are you doing here Elijah? He asked him that twice and twice was the same answer.

“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 1 Kings 19:14

“They seek my life”? Was that accurate? Let’s see what happened and why Elijah fled:

“Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.” 1 Kings 19:1-3

Elijah answered with pride and wasn't real. He could have told the Lord sincerely; well I am afraid of Jezebel Sir that is why. When we are afraid, we may exaggerate. It was one woman who threatened him but Elijah said: THEY seek my life.

Elijah answered the Lord in a spiritual heroic way: I had to flee and preserve myself and my ministry because I am the only voice left for you O God (and there is none like me. This is my adding). Am I against fleeing to protect our lives? No. But was he led by the Spirit to do that or was he fear-driven? Because sometimes the Spirit leads us to stay and confront and other times to flee. Jesus left immediately on many occasions and attempts to kill him but he was motivated by love and not by fear. Because fear is a sin! And Jesus knew it wasn’t his time to die this way.

In my opinion, God asked Elijah twice to give him an invitation to be real and humble but maybe he couldn't swallow that the MIGHTY Elijah who just had a great conference on the mount Carmel is now running from a woman in authority. He could have been real with God because after all, God knows the heart. Jezebel threatened Elijah to put seeds of fear in him to control him and push him away because Elijah was the real threat to her worship system. If she wanted to kill him she could have taken him by surprise and not give him an appointment “tomorrow about this time”. If she had the chance to kill him, it was before the restoration of God’s people because now Elijah was more empowered.

“Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God.” 1 Kings 37-39

Sadly, Elijah kept hanging to pride on Horeb's mountain while God offered him invitations to humble himself and be real before him in that cave conversation. Elijah insisted that he was the man for the hour alone and that God’s power only works through him but God told him he kept 7000 for him. After that, we see that Elijah’s ministry came to a closing chapter and that he was only allowed to anoint others for continuity. The same thing happened with Moses when he beat the rock twice; his ministry ended after that act of disobedience fueled by pride that was disguised as anger. Then Joshua was appointed next!

On the other hand, David the king after committing adultery with Bathsheba and killing her husband, was humble, real, and repenting when Prophet Nathan confronted him with the word of the Lord and his ministry continued and his relationship with the Lord. We read him repenting in Psalms 51!

It’s true that Jezebel only threatened to kill Elijah but actually she did kill his influence and ministry at the end because Elijah swallowed the bait of fear mixed with pride and because he didn’t find the place of humility in the presence of the Lord, the Lord resisted the proud. But the good news is that Elijah also killed Jezebel and her ministry because he left a prophecy of judgment from the Lord against her that was after her even after he was taken to heaven.

“Of Jezebel also has the LORD spoken, saying, ‘The dogs will eat Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.'” 1 Kings 21: 23

How many times have we answered the Lord in pride when he was extending to us invitations to be real and humble?

“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Proverbs 16:18 

“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12 

“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” James 4:6

Tony Francis

Blessed, Cursed then Blessed

From my book “Blessed in Christ” – How to live like a Christianaire! Purchase & download your digital copy today! Click here.

God called you blessed when he created you.

In Genesis chapter one, God made man in his image and likeness and commissioned him things to do. You are made in God's image and God is blessed, so you are blessed.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1: 26-28

But before God blessed them to DO, he already blessed them to BE. Man was blessed because he was made after the image and likeness of God, Selah. It can’t get any better! The greatest blessing you can have is to be like the one who brought you into existence, God Almighty.

Before doing things with him and for him, before possessing substances, before having titles, names, and positions, your ultimate blessing resides in being made in God's image.

Now the devil was at the corner to steal the blessings of man and to distort his blessed image, and he did.

Adam lost it all including us because we were “in Adam”, same nature of him, and because of Adam mankind was cursed including the land itself. Sin, curse, and death entered the world through yielding to the temptation of doing it all without God. The devil succeeded and distanced us from God. We never wanted God!

Many including me used to ask: “why would I receive someone else’s fault, sin, and consequence?” and we become angry with Adam, after all, he is the reason of all the pain and mess in our world. Then we try hard and make it our quest to reach heaven for one thing, to slap Adam and spill all our anger on him.

My friend, the reason you and I would have received and lived in the death loop of someone else’s fault simply is because if we were to replace Adam, we would have done the same thing he did. God is merciful to you and me that he didn't chose us to be public pioneers in messing it all from the dawn of creation. Thank God your name and mine is not listed on the first pages of the bible as a lesson to remember forever! How about that? (Yeah you can praise him here).

For all men have fallen short and needed the Glory of God.

“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth–men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air–for I am grieved that I have made them.”

Fast-forwarding to the good news. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the second and last Adam, the perfect man without a sin, wrinkle and blemish came and gave himself for our atonement and eternal sacrifice, redeemed us and cleansed us by his blood and reconciled us back to God.

THE Door was opened for us to come boldly before the throne of grace and mercy through Christ.

When God created man he said, “It is very good”. God will only put an “it is very good” stamp over what he makes. He will never say very good to our self-righteousness, failing religious attempts or to our “intelligent” strategies to build a tower to reach Heaven. It was so clear and LOUD when God said over Jesus Christ, the only Lamb of God, at the river of Jordan when John the Baptist baptized him “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”.

The person and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is the only pleasing thing to God. Redeem your time and stop trying to look good for God. Just humble yourself, receive Jesus Christ in your heart and you will be stamped again “VERY GOOD”! Jesus is your righteousness. What a gift!

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

All the animal sacrifices made in the Old Testament although required by God himself didn’t please him. They were only a temporary covering and shadow for what was coming, for who already came, Jesus Christ!

Our blessed Lord died for all, one sacrifice, one salvation for eternity! It is the gift of grace and righteousness offered by God to us because he loves us and wants us back because though sinners are loved by God they can't live in the abode of his holiness. Hallelujah, the high cost of pride was paid by THE humble ONE. The Justice and Mercy of God were fulfilled in Jesus on the cross.

God is just and merciful. He knows we are sinners who can't redeem themselves by themselves, so he sent his son as THE sacrifice, paid the price of sin with a severe judgment and unleashes his mercy over everyone who receives Christ and what he accomplished for us. On the cross, the justice and mercy of God hugged each other!

In Christ, you are blessed!

This is what I am going to walk you through in this book that I pray will impart revelation, faith and awareness of who you are in him and to help you position yourself to receive every good gift God has in store for you. He knows what he has planned for you, it is thoughts of peace to give you hope and a future but do you know it?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

I can’t list all the blessings of Christ to you that’s why you have your bible that speaks volumes! I will share some of it here to get you started so you can sail deeper with the Spirit later.

I want to whet your appetite!

Remember you are blessed first when you are Christ like and blessed with a real inheritance as well that God longs for you to know about, possess, enjoy and glorify him with it.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

Toni Francis

From my book “Blessed in Christ” – How to live like a Christianaire! Purchase & download your digital copy today! Click here.

The Narrow Path

“I am the living One. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” Revelation 1: 18

The very thing you overcome, you possess its gates! Jesus conquered death and the grave for you and today he lives forever and ever and holds the keys! Keys speak of authority, the one who owns the house has its keys! You are the master, the owner because you own the house! When you overcome depression by the graceful workings of the Holy Spirit in your heart and life, then you hold the keys to joy forever and ever. You own JOY!

The narrow path is not attractive nor appealing for anyone to go through. We want the easy way and I am not saying that God doesn’t offer easy opportunities for us but going through the narrow path where you drink the cup of suffering will make you sit next to Jesus! I have good news to tell you, the hell you are going through or you went through before wasn’t meant for your destruction but a stairway to your permanent promotion, a serious preparation to give you the keys of that very thing and make you owner over it.

Authority derives from the word author and you don’t have authority over what you don’t write with the sweating ink of your sufferings! Let me ask you this: what did you overcome so far? What are you overcoming right now? Reading this devotion will open your eyes to read well your future and to position you to receive the documents of ownership God is signing for you!

You are the master, you are the owner, you have and you will get the keys and then you can offer others help the way Jesus did with John the beloved where she showed him the keys of death and grave to tap into what he conquered for him. Winning your battles are not only yours but others as well!

Toni Francis

I highly recommend you watching this message of T.D Jakes on “Serum Solutions”! Click here to watch it