For the Risk-Takers
5778 OPEN DOORWAYS
Church Highlight
OUR CHURCH PICK Destiny Church in Rocklin, California is our pick for this issue if you’re looking for a church pursuing the presence of God.
I had never visited Destiny Church but I had heard many great things about it. God called us to visit and what we heard and saw was so inspiring. We visited on a Sunday evening prayer gathering. The worship was over-the-top but the Spirit moving in the church was why we felt this church had been definitely doing something right and that God wanted them highlighted here.
6900 Destiny Drive, Rocklin, CA 95677 / www.DestinyChurchLife.com
THE WORLD
DOESN’T NEED
MORE RELIGION.
THEY NEED LOVE.
#MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE
#SHARERADICALLOVE
#EXPECTMIRACLES
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D
CONTENTS
ISSUE 3 OPEN DOORWAYS
ISSUE 3
2018
CREATED BY A MIGHTY TEAM OF 3 JENENE STAFFORD NISSI GUIAO AARON GUZMAN
OPEN DOORWAYS 30
FEATURES 20 BECOMING FREE—BECOMING ME AN AUTHENTIC TESTIMONY OF GROWTH AND DREAMING WITH GOD. NISSI GUIAO
30 OPEN DOORWAYS DON’T MISS THE CALL. CHARGE THROUGH THE YEAR 5778, THE YEAR OF GOD’S OPEN DOORWAYS. JENENE STAFFORD
36 A TRIBUTE TO BILLY GRAHAM YOU ARE PART OF HIS LEGACY, IF YOU SO CHOOSE TO ACCEPT THE CALL. NISSI GUIAO
42 DOKIMOS EXPLOSION DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS. JENENE STAFFORD
44 TIME TO LET GOD OUT OF THE BOX SETTING HIM FREE WILL SET YOU FREE, TOO. JENENE STAFFORD
46 THE RESURRECTED LIFE
44 TIME TO LET GOD OUT OF THE BOX
6
THOUGHTS A WORD FROM THE FOUNDER. JENENE STAFFORD
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RESURRECTION. JENENE STAFFORD
46 THE RESURRECTED LIFE
38 THE POWER OF PURSUIT (KING MAKER)
50 DOING BUSINESS GOD’S WAY
THE CHOICE IS YOURS TO LEAVE THE STATUS QUO BEHIND.
SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND EXPERIENCE THE GROWTH FOR YOURSELF.
JEFF WITTMER
GARY HENSON
12 TAKING OUT THE TRASH IT’S ABOUT TIME TO GET HEALTHY. SHERI WITTMER
40 REDPILLING THE CHURCH (WARRIOR CRY)
60 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TO REDPILL OR NOT TO REDPILL. BRALYNN NEWBY
16 CALL IT LIKE YOU SEE IT NO MORE BEATING AROUND THE BUSH. DOUG TAWLKS
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
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2018
Experience Authentic Community and Get Answers To the Big Questions in Life.
You go to a physical fitness center to work out your body. You go to school or study at home to work out your mind, but where do you go to work out your spirit? A Spiritual Gym!
The Dokimos Project is an intense spiritual workout for marketplace influencers that will help you discover your unique identity in Christ, journey of hope, divine assignment, and you will be commissioned to advance God’s Kingdom in your sphere of influence. It’s targeted for those in the marketplace but open to all! It’s about gaining a healed view of God, a healed view of self, and a healed view of others. Join a growing number of marketplace ministers who are equipped and commissioned in their unique identity in Christ, gifting, journey of inner healing and calling to bring hope to all spheres of influence.
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GO TO WWW.DOKIMOSPROJECT.COM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPIRITUAL GYMS.
THOUGHTS holding
FOUNDER’S THOUGHTS
a diamond twice the size of
His left hand. Trust me, it makes it very clear how He sees us. MEGA, with great wealth, influence, position, and radical love. He’s holding us in the palm of His hand and He’s moving it around and you can see the incredible dimension and
BY JENENE STAFFORD
light that beams from it. The Bride of Christ will have a MEGA transformation and with it will rise the greatest revolution of love the world has ever seen. And, to be completely transparent, the kingdom of darkness will lose control and it will be an era of extremes. You can absolutely quote me on that. We have already begun to see this in the last two years. Shifting gears for a moment. We will not shy away from writing about the strategies and schemes of our enemy. It’s time to be equipped for battle, armed and dangerous to the kingdom of darkness (Get John Ramirez Book pg 9). There’s a new level of spiritual warfare.
WELCOME MY BEAUTIFUL RISK-TAKER FRIENDS TO THE FIRST PRINT ISSUE OF MEGAMORPHOSIS MAGAZINE
This a magazine laced with prophetic words and glimpses, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,” (Rev 19:10). And, I do declare that our testimonies will be profound in this era, which I would daresay, in my opinion, could be the final one.
THIS FIRST PRINT ISSUE IS THE RESULT OF PUSHING THROUGH AND RISKING EVERYTHING TO SEE GOD’S WILL BE DONE HERE. THE MAGAZINE AND MEDIA ARE A COLLABORATION OF KINGDOM LEADERS RISING UP AND PROCLAIMING THE TRUTH AND POWER OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE POWER OF HIS KINGDOM.
Never has there been a more exciting time to be alive as a Believer. God is opening doors for the risk takers, truth tellers and love revolutionaries. Open Doorways (pg 30) is the name of this Issue and like in the Book of Acts, so shall we see again a massive open door of faith. What better time to release the first
he first place to start has to be
dreds of years. I guess that’s your first
with the title of the magazine.
clue––it’s a magazine for the Church.
MEGAMORPHOSIS
However, I heard God say ‘megamorphosis’ and then asked Him if I misheard. Nope.
This is a word that God gave me and
What you’ll see, what you’ll hear, and
confirmed after meeting with several
what you’ll experience as you join us on
other leaders. I thought it was a strange
this wild, exciting
word for a magazine. You might too and
wants recognized, not what I want rec-
I wouldn’t blame you a bit.
ognized. All of it is His leading by divine
I was so no naive, in this particular
ride is what Jesus
appointment and miracles.
case, I didn’t even realize that the word
Jesus asked me to “display the beau-
‘metamorphosis’ was a word that has
ty and uniqueness of His Bride” with
been representing the Church for hun-
this magazine. I saw a vision of Him
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
8
print issue than during this Passover season where the story of the cross and the Christ will come to life in new ways (read The Resurrected Life). We will continue to grow in wisdom and a deeper understanding of His resurrection power and the mystery of the cross. God wants out of the religious box we have put Him in. He’s showing up everywhere and it’s great timing. It’s Time To Let God Out of The Box (pg 44) because the world needs Him. We need to get on board and stop getting in His way. There will be an explosion of King-
2018
dom
power,
spiritual
authority,
giftedness.
healing The
and
Dokimos
Project is paving the way to launch ‘Spiritual Gyms’ in businesses, churches and neighborhoods. You might be thinking, “What the heck does the word mean?” (Dokimos Explosion pg 42) I can’t really complete this introduction without expressing my immense love and gratitude for my King Jesus and my beautiful friends, collaborators and family. Thank you for encouraging me to
“THE BRIDE OF CHRIST WILL HAVE A MEGA TRANSFORMATION AND WITH IT WILL RISE THE GREATEST REVOLUTION OF LOVE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN.”
see this divine assignment come to pass. Many of you have sacrificed for me to be faithful to the call on my life–to bring healing to the nations, to #shareradicallove and #expectmiracles. BTW: Those are the main hashtags for MM. On one hand I want to say you can expect miracles if you’ll really read the magazine. On the other, cut us some slack because we’re learning, just like all of you. w Together, imperfect as we are––we are risk-takers changing lives, shaking things up, and defying status-quo Christianity. Thank you and I love you my beautiful friends. xoxo M
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
FIRST, THANK YOU JESUS for choosing me to portray Your greatest Love, Your Church. I am totally undeserving of the honor as I’ve spent years of my life playing in the enemy’s camp, ignoring You and taking Your love for granted, but oh how I adore You now with every ounce of my being. Help me do this in excellence and great grace. TO MY HUSBAND: Being married to me (The Jesus Woman) is no picnic, but you have stuck by me––although sometimes fighting your way through–to understand my seer ways and why I must do as the Lord requests and directs. It is often a wild ride and like you have said many times, “There has not been a day of boredom since the day we met 26 years ago.” I assure you it will only get better and more fun. TO MY WRITERS: Bralynn Newby, Jeff Wittmer, Malvina Laudicina, John Jackson, Larry and Lori Hill, Derek Martin, Derren Wilson, Anita Alexander and the many more to come, thank you for your dedication to the Lord, your love and support for me and my mandate, and for pouring your heart into this project. Some of you have not written a word yet, but I trust what I see and your day is coming! (Read the rest pg 60)
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As the Church of Jesus Christ, which He
rebuke or bind up or cast out evil spirits
Then the man in whom the evil spirit
left on the earth to represent His name,
of any kind. Without knowing who you
was leaped on them, overpowered them,
we are empowered to take down demon-
are in Christ and understanding your
and prevailed against them, so that they
ic strongholds, defeat the devil’s game
God-given authority in Him, you have
fled out of that house naked and wound-
plan and go into the devil’s territory
no authority. And you certainly have no
ed. This became known both to all Jews
without fear and wreak havoc. We do
fight. As the Church, we have become a
and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and
all this by our God-given authority that
social club, and it breaks my heart. I am
fear fell on them all, and the name of
Jesus won for us at the cross.
sure it grieves God’s heart even more.
the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many
Too often we allow unbelievers to
The Bible illustrates what happens
who had believed came confessing and
dictate to us how we should live. We
when a person tries to fight the forc-
telling their deeds. Also, many of those
even allow the craftiness of the world
es of evil without legitimate God-given
who had practiced magic brought their
to creep into the Church and weaken
authority. Read this account found in
books together and burned them in the
our relationship with the Lord, watering
Acts:
sight of all. Acts 19:11-19 NKJV
down our call and the responsibility God
Now God worked unusual miracles
These men had a false authority,
left us. The devil has used pressures to
by the hands of Paul, so that even hand-
all because they went to church (syna-
weaken our God-given authority, beat-
kerchiefs or aprons were brought from
gogue) and their father was a high priest
ing us down spiritually to the point of
his body to the sick, and the diseases
(which is like a pastor), but they had
compromise—making us believe that we
left them and the evil spirits went out of
no personal relationship with Jesus the
have lost our way. Ultimately, we risk
them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish
Messiah. That day, the demon made the
distorting God’s character.
exorcists took it upon themselves to call
ultimate statement: “Jesus, I know, and
Satan is clever. If he can make us
the name of the Lord Jesus over those
Paul I know, but who are you?”
believe that God is sick and tired of us,
who had evil spirits, saying, “We exor-
that He does not love us or has given up
cise you by the Jesus whom Paul preach-
principle of Jesus Christ’s authority in
on us, then we have nowhere to turn
es.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva,
us. And when the demon looked at the
and repent—and the devil wins the
a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
seven sons of Sceva, he saw nothing in
fight. This is the oldest trick in the enemy’s playbook; do not buy into it. Many believers today cannot even
And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
Even
the
demon
understood
the
them—and they got the most amazing beat down.
CHARMAINE
ENTREPRENEUR FEATURE
A TRUE ENTREPRENEUR AT HEART: CHARMAINE TAYLOR Born and raised in South Africa, Charmaine witnessed the cruelty of apartheid as a child and saw the miracle transformation of her country and the release of Nelson Mandela. She watched his path to becoming the first democratically elected president of South Africa in 1994. Charmaine always had a passion and vision to promote the message of forgiveness and peace that former President Nelson Mandela shared. In 2012 her vision came true. As a designer and owner of a marketing firm, Charmaine met the founders of RIACT (Robben Island Art Company & Trust), who rescued the original prison fence from Robben Island from being abandoned in a landfill in 2009. This fence held captive the apartheid political prisoners on Robben Island, including Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Walter Sisulu, Robert Sobukwe and many more, until their release in 1989 and 1990. Charmaine shared RIACT’s vision that this fence could become a positive part of South Africa’s legacy through art and jewellery. She was granted the right to design artwork and have exclusive rights to create jewellery with the Robben Island fence in 2013. Charmaine cut and created each piece completely by hand to make her first Legacy Collection. Each piece is bespoke, which involves a lengthy design process of cutting or bonding the fence together. Finally, it’s expertly sealed and plated in gold or silver. Charmaine donates a percentage of profits to both the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Abalimi Bezekhaya, which translates to “We Are The Farmers.” Abalimi Bezekhaya teaches organic farming in the Cape Town townships.
TAYLOR
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MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
Taking Out the Trash THE HUMAN BODY IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX AND FASCINATING DESIGNS IN ALL THE WORLD. WITH NO PLANNING ON OUR PART, A MULTITUDE OF PROCESSES ARE TAKING PLACE INSIDE US THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT TO CLEANSE AND RENEW OUR ORGANS.
+ BY SHERI WITTMER
W ouldn’t we love it if our homes cleaned themselves
HERE ARE A FEW PRACTICAL TIPS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT TODAY:
while we slept? Through brilliantly designed pathways of elimination, the body knows how to systematically
1. Add vegetables to your diet each day. The darker the better. (spinach, kale, broccoli, parsley) 2. Add fruit to your daily diet. Apples, berries, grapefruit, lemons are perfect for diabetics. 3. Start your day with warm lemon water. Lemons are particularly good for detoxing the body. 4. Try adding some greens to a fruit smoothie. 5. Switch out some of your coffee consumption with green tea. 6. Drink this much water per day- half your body weight in ounces. (Example: 200 lbs. =100 ounces of water per day.)
take out its own trash. Treat it lovingly, and this living, breathing machine will reward us with vibrant health. However, when the trash load becomes too burdensome and the body cannot dump it fast enough, the result is oftentimes sickness. There’s plenty of talk out there about doing a “cleanse” or going on a “detox” diet, and there’s some validity to them, however, not everyone is up for a week of juicing or downing drinks made with lemon juice and cayenne pepper. What is far more manageable on a daily basis is simply removing many things that burden the body’s ability to cleanse and heal itself. Why not slow down the conveyor belt of toxic trash going into the body and give it a chance to do what it does best? Heal and restore itself. Let’s talk about what goes into the body. Each cell of our body is primarily made up of the food we eat and the quality of water we drink. Why is it then that we
ABOUT SHERI
make dietary choices that are known to be damaging
Sheri carries a ver y strong desire to see people live vibrant and healthy lives. This passion led her to pursue further education in nutrition and natural health. Sheri holds 2 certif ications: one as a Certif ied Nutritional Consultant from The Global College of Natural Medicine and the other as a Certif ied Health Coach from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She and her husband, Jeff live in Redding, California, where they also lead California Coaching Collaborative, a life coaching certif ication training program. When they are not training or coaching, they will undoubtedly be found spending precious time with their adult children and granddaughter, Shiloh Joy.
to our cells? Think of it this way. If you were building a bridge capable of handling heavy loads, would you choose concrete or Lego blocks? The body is made up of billions of cells or building blocks. Each cell has a certain shelf life before it’s replaced with a new one. That’s the good news. We can start right here today building a new body cell by cell. By intentionally choosing nourishing foods over those laden with chemicals, we can be off to a great start to better health.
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
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2018
PURPOSE BOUTIQUE MIDTOWN SACRAMENTO
We contribute a portion of every purchase you make to help bring a better quality of life for those in need.
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Lindee Daniel
ENTREPRENEUR FEATURE
Fashioning a Better World
bachelor’s in international business, she read biographies of famous designers and successful apparel companies, building her knowledge and strengthening her ambition. After many years of life, world experience, successes, failures, detours, and hardships, Lindee launched a small collection at New York Bridal Market in 2011 where she received recognition from top tier press, and soon after began selling through boutiques. Lindee’s project in Uganda with the organization Bringing Hope To The Family introduced her to Noah’s Arc Orphanage. There her heart was profoundly touched. She saw love, and joy despite the heavy burdens and needs. There was no question she had to do something to help. Lindee lives in Santa Monica, CA, and the magic happens in her studio located in the garment district of Los Angeles. In her free time she nurtures her passion for giving back by volunteering locally, and growing her social enterprise. She relishes quiet time in nature whenever possible, and hopes one day to resume learning to play the violin.
Photo by Rachel Veal
L
ment to living an eco-conscious indee Daniel is known as a
life. She credits her mother for
wedding gown designer fusing
elegance, her father for tough-
together art, sustainability and
ness, and both for giving her
philanthropy, establishing herself
grit. These are influences
as a pioneer in the growing world
undoubtedly seen in her life,
of conscious fashion.
and in the aesthetic that runs
Lindee’s love for fashion,
through her signature designs.
business, and giving back began
In fact, it was her father’s
as a child, despite growing up in
untimely death that propelled
small, secluded towns, sheltering
her into launching the brand.
her from world culture. Her
The extraordinary signifi-
fascination with fabric, creating
cance of marriage and the intri-
and sewing blossomed throughout
cate detailing required inspired
her childhood, as did her entre-
Lindee to focus on wedding
preneurial spirit, and commit-
gowns. While studying for her
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
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2018
GOOD FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET
Photo by Wendy Laurel
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MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
Call It Like You See It BY DOUG TAWLKS
I
like it when people call it like it is even if it makes others
evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light
uncomfortable. We live in an age where it’s not popular to put
for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
the truth out there if it makes someone uncomfortable, espe-
(Is. 5:20)
cially if it makes us uncomfortable. We tend to spin the truth
The key is to love the truth even if it hurts. We can’t afford
or adjust it to meet the felt needs of our audience or tickle our
to play games with the truth; because the minute we start
own biases. The biggest problem arises when we start lying to
manipulating things, woe moves in. That means life won’t go
ourselves.
well for us. When we try to deny the true nature of a thing by
Here’s an interesting fact that will twist your mind a little.
calling it the opposite of what it really is, we deceive ourselves
When we lie to others we know it, but when we lie to ourselves
and the truth is not in us.
we don’t know it. Isn’t that crazy? The reason self-deception is
The lie we buy into says if we face the truth we won’t sur-
so deceptive is that we usually don’t know we’re doing it.
vive it. Trusting God means rejecting the lie and embracing
A woman in her forties once told me something that she
the truth. The next time you think about minimizing, ratio-
had never told anyone before. It was a story of horrendous
nalizing or covering up the bad by calling it good, you might
childhood abuse. She had kept it to herself for many years by
want to think about all the negative consequences that you
telling herself that what happened to her was not that bad.
are inviting into your life. The truth does set us free when we
Another woman had been in a dangerous marriage that threat-
begin to call it like it is. We become powerful, free and thrive
ened her life and she told herself that it wasn’t that bad. One
when we pursue the truth of a matter. Call it like it is.
businessman realized that he was presenting a false image of himself to his customers. I was the first person he admitted this to and when he realized the truth of his motivations, he Doug Tawlks is the Director of The Life Bridge, a
sought to change them.
unique counseling center that integrates inner-
When these people stopped self-lying and told themselves the truth it brought them freedom and changed the course of
healing prayer with psychological truths. He is an
their lives. The Prophet Isaiah said, “Woe to those who call
author, speaker and an avid seeker of meaningful adventures.
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
18
2018
Bird of Paradise FINGERPAINTED IN WORSHIP
Tamara Carroll The Joy Queen
WITH ACRYLICS
PROPHETIC ARTIST
Signficance: Freedom and the ability to travel, due to the flower's resemblance to birds in flight; magnificence, excellence and successes; royalty; joy through challenges and successes alike; faithfulness in romantic relationships; optimism toward the future. SERVICES Personal Prophetic Paintings with a written prophetic word. Prophetic Art Workshops Art Sozo for Inner Healing
Tamara Carroll, affectionately known as The JOY Queen, is a prophetic painter, joyful worshiper, and creativity coach. This year she has been teaching workshops to groups of all sizes, painting commissioned personal prophetic paintings, painting in worship at large conferences, as well as teaching several classes on the prophetic and hearing God's voice. Tamara joyfully travels around the globe speaking on the prophetic and creativity, teaching creative skills and painting in worship.
Worship painting at conferences Keynote Speaker and Teacher connecting you to the heart of God through creativity.
Facebook: @createjoytoday Instagram: @createjoytoday Order prints: (209) 629-7787
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
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2018
RISK TAKER EMPOWER + CREATE + LEAD
Becoming Free
Photo by Nicole Smit
BY NISSI GUIAO
FROM 2015-2016, I ROSE FROM DEATH TO LIFE WITH JESUS. FOR YEARS I NEVER REALIZED MY FULL POTENTIAL, BUT SINCE MY HARDEST WINTER, I’VE BEEN UNCOVERING MY PURPOSE AND DISCOVERING WHO I WAS CREATED TO BE.
the Truth, to wake us up from dead liv-
wreckage of a split marriage? Nothing.
ing. Sometimes, going through the worst
Weakened by a single conversation that
is exactly what it takes to make room for
put divorce on the table, the thick walls
the absolute best. I didn’t find my free-
of comfort that I leaned on for years
dom until I lost everything, but had I
collapsed on me almost instantly. It got
not fought through difficulty, I would’ve
real, real quick—made me lose my appe-
never discovered who I was always
tite to eat. Surrounded by ruins, disori-
meant to be.
ented by unnatural disaster, just dev-
Unpredictable 2015 was the year
astated by a mess I couldn’t clean—this
I broke free. Having lost my identity
was the ultimate starter pack to get free
through constant lies I used to believe,
and become me. This was the soil I need-
f we don’t know we’re trapped,
I didn’t know I was suffering and that’s
ed to be buried in so that His (God’s)
how could we ever know to break free?
the irony. Back then, I mostly felt the
Nissi could rise up creatively.
Sometimes, our familiarities and the
pain of the breaking and being broken
As soil is for seeds, so were my tri-
things we’re accustomed to imprison
down deep. I experienced “the worst”
als for me. What felt like an eternity in
us with limited thinking that keeps us
that pruned me for today’s refreshing
the dark in the heat gave me just enough
from dreaming bigger dreams. Some-
Spring. An unexpected separation cut
time to develop from every negative
times, it takes a rupture—an agitation
deep and tore open the box of the life I
thing. Though it wasn’t my favorite to
of some sort—to shake our foundation,
thought I’d get to keep. What could’ve
work through the pain, I learned the
to bring us to our knees, to expose us to
possibly prepared me for the dangerous
beautiful art of persevering. Every trou-
I
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
22
2018
ble (minute or massive) aimed to pollute my heart with weeds. Instead, they became all the right stretches that produced agility in me. Patient in the waiting (though the struggle was real) I got used to the training. Because of what I faced, my capacity to grow expanded, breaking off the weighty chains that strategically restrained me. All the crap that made me weak tested every fiber of my being, but it turned out to be the very thing that helped bring about the necessary fertilizing. What
I’ve
experienced
first-hand
is “that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love [Him] and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT). There were definitely some days where I desperately wanted to produce my own reality. I really hated the not knowing. Over time I just came to realize that no matter what would happen, He’d work out every detail way better than I could ask or think. This simple yet profound truth watered the depths of my soul, drowning out each deceitful, ungodly theory. It welcomed in this raging peace that compelled my heart to surrender completely. Owning my weakness, letting myself feel all the feels (within healthy boundaries), I maintained my own garden by letting Love take over and meet every single one of my needs. To my surprise and everyone else who knew my story, I began to sprout up from the dry and dead places that should’ve killed and destroyed me. So, where does this all lead? That’s the real gold that I hope you’ll get to see. It’s not about me; it’s all about how Jesus journeyed sweetly with me. We climbed and fell together. He collected all my
tears. He taught me vulnerability and encouraged honesty. He wanted in on it all, especially the raw, the real, the ugliest of the ugly. My choice to invite Him in at my worst cultivated this pure intimacy that’s only bred from going deep. Now that I’ve tasted, now that I’ve real-
seeds. It’s not just for me, this adven-
ly seen, there is no going back; I refuse
ture in risking; I’m only but an exam-
to retreat. I’ve reveled in new territo-
ple of becoming. We all have a unique
ry that’s provoked my heart to risk and
story to tell and we all were born to
dream.
dream. Wherever you’re at within your
By letting Jesus grow me, the things
journey, you’re beautifully becoming.
dreams—
Nothing held back, my life and my pro-
began to grow simultaneously. What
cess exposed unapologetically—may my
you’re about to see on the next cou-
spring of life and passion to risk invite
ple of pages is the garden we’ve been
you to grow with me. M
within—my
passions,
His
grooming. What used to feel impossible is ready for my taking. Clarity of vision to see the dreams He’s proudly laid before me, a passion to live in risk of failing “out of the boat” on waters raging—these healthy blooms were planted early, long before I started breathing. The seeds have always been in me. My heart and my soul just first needed a tilling (a form of deep cultivation that’s necessary when preparing a new garden bed or when adding large amounts of organic material). Now in the reaping, I’ve got a massive supply with a harvest so plenty. Taste and see the organically grown dreams, my heart’s vision for 2018. As you see my goals that’ve grown from within, remember this bouquet of blos-
“IT’S NOT ABOUT ME; IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW JESUS JOURNEYED SWEETLY WITH ME.” Nissi Guiao is a Stockton, CA native who’s passionately unwrapping her gift of writing, the more she uses and embraces the voice of wisdom and hope God’s entrusted her with.
soms I’ve sketched simply began as
Becoming Me 23
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Go to www. markjthepoet.com For Life After Lust Tour Dates
MY NAME IS MARK J. I AM A POET, VOCAL-
I FIND MYSELF ABLE TO RELATE TO AND INSPIRE OTHERS. I CAN’T COUNT HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY
IST, WORSHIP LEADER, AND SPEAKER. BUT MORE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
FOLKS
I
BATTLING THE CYCLE OF SEXUAL ADDICTION AS I WAS. MANY
AM A WORSHIPER OF THE KING, A
HUSBAND TO A QUEEN, AND A FATHER TO TWO PRIN-
OF THEM TRUST ME TO BE THE FIRST PERSON THEY TALK WITH OPENLY ABOUT IT - PRETTY AMAZING IF YOU’D ASK ME. THIS IS
I USED TO BE ADDICTED TO PORNOGRAPHY, CESSES.
MY HEARTBEAT: TO SEE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEIR VALUE AND LIVE IN FREEDOM AS GOD INTENDED.
BY THE WAY. AND NOW MY PASSION IS MORE THAN SPOKEN WORD AND MUSIC. AS ONE WHO HAS PERSONALLY WALKED DOWN THE ALLEYS OF ADDICTION TO PORNOGRAPHY
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5778
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PEN OORWAYS GOD IS ON THE MOVE AND HE’S OPENING DOORS FOR THE CHURCH TO RISE UP AND INFUSE THE CULTURE. BY JENENE STAFFORD & MALVINA LAUDICINA
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I
’m no Hebrew scholar, but I love
specifics, the connection and relevance
over to our new beginnings. God’s doing
how God uses both its alphabet and its
to 2018 clearly shines through. If we
a new thing we’ve never seen or heard
traditions to speak to us. After all, Jesus
look close enough, it’s hard to miss what
of before and we must be expectant for
was a Jew.
we should focus on for the coming year.
it. We’ve got the blood as our protection
I look forward to each time the
To start off, Ayin has a pictograph
and nothing but ignorance can stop us
Hebrew New Year approaches. Like a
that looks like an eye. It implores us to
child eagerly awaits the bounties of
open our eyes—to see beyond the phys-
When we see beyond the natural,
Christmas morning, I wait on the Lord to
ical. It’s meant to take us from dark to
there’s always a war that takes place in
get a picture for the coming year. Every
light and it urges us to break through
the supernatural. Knowing this, we must
fall, He impresses on my heart a key
the walls of limitations in order to see
have a keen eye to know when it’s God
word or image that becomes the focus
what’s not yet visible to us. This year, as
and when it’s not. Again, this is new for
for me and I pray it becomes the same
we approach the end of the Ayin decade,
all of us and it’ll take time to become
for you by the end of this article. I’ve
the Lord’s emphasizing the importance
familiar with His different ways. With
learned that it takes time to really com-
of us seeing with our spiritual eyes. He
that said, we have the opportunity to
prehend what He’s saying through the
wants us to obtain vision for the future
live aware and open to whatever He
prophetic symbols, but as the months go
and make these details our compass
wants to do next. Alignments are taking
by and as I dig into the details, the pic-
for the next movement. We’re called
place around the world through a move
ture becomes clearer.
to press in and strengthen our spiritu-
of authentic and organic connections.
This past Rosh Hashanah (the cele-
al vision, to see past natural things and
Those in unity with the Lord are divine-
brated 5778 New Year) the Lord came
everything that’s limited us decades
ly coming together through His perfect
through once again and spoke to my
before.
timing and we don’t want to miss out.
from experiencing His fullness.
spirit. He said, “I’m doing new things
Now to shift our focus on Chet.
These details represent an open invi-
and there will be movement.” It took
Shaped like a tent or a Chuppah (a can-
tation for us to join His rapid flow. We
some months before I received the full
opy that couples stand underneath dur-
have the freedom and ability to move
picture, but as I studied the meaning of
ing Jewish weddings), it beautifully rep-
where He’s directing us. We can uti-
the year 5778, I began to gain the right
resents the covering of the Lord through
lize the gateway set before us and walk
perspective on what He was trying to get
covenant with Him. Out of the old and
straight into a new level of His glory. We
me to understand.
into the new is what we’re being called
can see this move described in the New
Before we jump into the interpre-
to, but it won’t happen by accident.
Testament of the Bible, “And we all, with
tation of the year 5778, let’s learn a bit
With a pictograph that looks like a wall,
unveiled face, beholding the glory of the
about the Hebrew alphabet. There are
a gateway or a fence, we learn that it’s
Lord, are being transformed into the
22 letters and each has a meaning, a pic-
going to take us getting past what was
same image from one degree of glory to
ture association and a numerical value
to be able to partake in the beauty that’s
another. For this comes from the Lord
(which is how Hebrew numbers are rep-
in front of us. This represents a crossing
who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18
resented). Numbers, in some cases, are
from one place to another, a crossover
ESV). It’s our honor and privilege to get
made up of a combination of letters
into the new year covered by the Lord.
to partner with Him and experience
because only 22 letters are available.
Chet’s normally associated with resur-
transformation in the process of moving
Diving into the past Hebrew New Year,
rection life and new beginnings. This
forward.
I’d like to focus on interpreting the sig-
2018 is a year of new beginnings and the
As we move with God’s flow, there
nificance of the last part of the number
Lord confirmed this by speaking to my
will be growing pains we can’t avoid.
—78— to shed some light on what I feel
heart through Scripture, “See, I’m doing
This movement of the Spirit is sure to
God’s saying is to come.
a new thing! Now it springs up; do you
agitate and bring discomfort, but it’s all
not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19).
the more reason to press on. We don’t
THE SYMBOLIC MEANING AND THE PROPHETIC MEANING
Adopting this new understanding,
need to lie to ourselves; we’ll be pushed,
we have to be willing to take a look at
feel beaten and even thrusted forward
the
ourselves on a deeper level. The Lord’s
(what it means to “stir” in Hebrew).
combination of two letters, Ayin (the
gracefully exposing how a lot of us have
Just as the Lord began to stir Samson in
16th letter having a value of 70) and
been held captive in an old move and
Judges 13:25, He’s doing the same today.
Chet (the 8th letter having a value of 8).
haven’t been able to enter into what
Though it may feel violent in nature, it’s
On the surface, they might just seem like
really belongs to us. It’s time in this
just like the birthing of a child through
ordinary numbers. As we dig in to the
fresh season to move forward and pass
the birth canal. As the atmosphere
The
number
78
is
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by
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breaks through our response to join His movement, it’ll be the catalyst for real life our world’s longing for. Like the beating of the hoofs of a running horse, we can feel the intensity and urgency of the Lord’s heart in this season. He’s stirring our hearts and it goes beyond ourselves. [The word stir is “paam” in Hebrew, formed by three letters: Pe (mouth), Ayin (to see) and mem (water).] With a deeper understanding of what we’ve stepped into, we must use our mouths to speak of this new thing which will let others see (with spiritual eyes) the ways of the living waters of the new move of God. The Lord’s revealing this new move and will thrust us through the gateway into the waves of living waters like a running horse and the best way to move in this New Year is to “trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding…in all our ways submit to Him, and know that He’ll make our paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-7 paraphrase). *** One of the things that makes walking out the Christian faith so fulfilling is the journey of uncovering the mysteries and depths of the Kingdom of God. Now that we’ve uncovered some of the pro-
“GOD IS ON THE MOVE AND HE’S OPENING DOORS FOR THE CHURCH TO RISE UP AND INFUSE THE CULTURE.”
phetic mysteries of the year 5778, we
Father and the powerful love of Jesus.
can dig a little deeper to fully embrace
He’s more than happy to show off for
2018 as the year of Open Doorways.
us when our hearts are pure towards
Learning is one thing, but if we real-
Him. Over time, I pray that more of us
ly want to launch through to the divine
will dive into the stream of what He
opportunities in the coming months,
calls “living waters.” It’s time we live
there’s a bit more truth to marinate in.
refreshed in His new wave of love, away
Remember, “the letter kills, but the Spir-
from what’s kept us stagnant for far too
it gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV).
long.
IT’S A MYSTERY
FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM
Moving forward, we should know that
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let
God is full of mystery and wonder. He
anyone who’s thirsty come. Let anyone
loves to let us know that He’s around
who desires drink freely from the water
and that He’s embedded in everything.
of life” (Revelation 22:17). If I’m correct,
With thoughts far beyond us, He loves
most of us wouldn’t even pick up on the
to speak in very unique ways because
part that says the Spirit and the bride
we’re
I
say. This is us—we are His Bride and
think He likes to keep us on our toes,
we have authority that He wants us to
waiting in excitement for what He
actually use. If we’d take more time
might say next and how He might say
to listen, God’s constantly revealing
it. Understanding this is part of the
life-changing things to us (Biblically,
adventure in growing closer to Him. The
spiritually, prophetically, numerically,
more we learn that it’s the uniqueness,
symbolically, metaphorically, naturally
beauty, and brilliance of the bride that
and supernaturally). If we pay attention
He wants boldly displayed, the more
to what’s in plain sight, we probably
we can live freely with Him and take
wouldn’t hesitate to walk through those
advantage of what’s in front of us.
doors already opened for us.
all
created
uniquely.
And,
If we’re too afraid of the unknown
We can see the idea of Open Door-
or the supernatural, we’ll sadly dismiss
ways showcased in Revelation 3:7-8.
much of what God may want to show
Jesus explicitly speaks of God opening
us. We’ve got to come to terms with
doors no one can close and closing doors
Him being the God that’ll go way out
no one can open. This truth in itself is
of our comfortable box to reveal Him-
rich enough to carry us through to the
self. We never need to look for a sign;
next thing. Whatever that looks like for
we only need to desire the heart of the
each of us. However, it’s going to take
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FAV’S
us being willing to recognize that He’s opening doors to position His bride for the sake of the Kingdom. As shown throughout many of the articles, “It’s not about you…” or me. There’s a much bigger picture, but the beautiful thing is that we all get to play a part.
CHRIST THE ULTIMATE OPEN DOOR As a final thought, you should celebrate this time if God’s opening doors for you because it means you’ve been preparing
BLACKOUT
RECKLESS LOVE
yourself as the Bride. It hasn’t been
STEFFANY GRETZINGER
CORY ASBURY
2018
2017
“LIKE THE BEATING OF THE HOOVES OF A RUNNING HORSE, WE CAN FEEL THE INTENSITY AND URGENCY OF THE LORD’S HEART IN THIS SEASON.”
THE LIFE EP
SURROUNDED
HEATHER EVANS
MICHAEL W. SMITH
our mind, and with all our strength. To
FUTURE
WHOLE HEART
honor Him and all His glory, let’s lock
JORDAN FELIZ
PASSION
WONDER
THERE IS A CLOUD
HILLSONG UNITED
ELEVATION WORSHIP
easy getting to this point, but you’ve kept standing. This truly is a year
2018
2018
many believers have been waiting for. The biggest thing to be excited about is knowing there’s always more. More to learn, more to uncover, more to experience. Jesus will always be the path no matter what decade or generation we’re living in. He’s been waiting for the day we come alive in that truth. He is the “Way” and the “Open Door.” Our mission is, and forever will be, to simply seek Him with all our heart, with all
2018
arms and be thrusted into new life and
2018
His abundance of love that can change the world. Together, let’s not miss the call and let’s charge through the year 5778, the year of God’s Open Doorways.
M MALVINA LAUDICINA IS A PROPHETIC ARTIST, SPEAKER AND CREATIVITY COACH.
2017
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
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2017
2018
WAYS TO SUPPORT THE MAGAZINE Monumental movements are only possible through massive support. If you’re reading this, you’re likely part of the risk-takers movement rising up all over the globe. Something drew you here. Something in you came alive as you came across Megamorphosis Magazine and we believe it’s no accident. Join us in our powerful pursuit to shake up status quo Christianity as we #shareradicallove and #expectmiracles. We can’t do it without you.
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INVITE THE FOUNDER TO SPEAK
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Photo by BGEA
A TRIBUTE TO BILLY GRAHAM
MORE THAN WORDS A tribute can be much more than words. Sometimes, we can be so quick to say something to commemorate a person’s life, but just as quickly as we speak, our words can blow away in the wind of time. Billy Graham spoke more than just words; He lived an honest life sold out for Jesus and his legacy lives on as he enjoys paradise in heaven. To properly honor him and all that he stood for, we (the Church) have so much to give in the
+BY NISSI GUIAO
wake of his timely passing. Before we soar off into the powerful,
BILLY GRAHAM’S LEGACY IS BEYOND ANYTHING HE ACCOMPLISHED ON EARTH. HIS LIFE AND HOW HE LIVED SIMPLY, YET POWERFULLY, IS AN EXAMPLE WE CAN ALL LEARN AND GROW FROM.
individual roles we each play, we should first understand what Billy Graham gave us to run with. He kept things simple; he didn’t complicate the uncomplicated. Not afraid of being fully himself no matter where he was or who he was around, he drew people in with real love. If we just take a closer look at the details of
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
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2018
like it was. He shared the Gospel with
help usher in the new move the Spirit’s
an attractive innocence and a non-
bringing in to our culture.
judgmental sincerity. He had a heart-
It’s funny, some of us get a sense
felt approach to winning souls for the
that something new and different is on
Kingdom and God’s glory that drew in
the horizon. That it’s coming straight
the masses—some hundreds of millions
for us. Yet some of us are still keeping
were touched by his ministry in one way
God boxed up by expecting the familiar
or another. We can’t know for sure, but
whether we realize it or not. Thing is, if
it wouldn’t be surprising if he didn’t
He is doing something new—new to us,
care much about the numbers. What we
we shouldn’t know what it looks like or
do know is that he cared, more than the
would it really be new? Collectively, ris-
average person, about people’s spiritu-
ing up and uniting as the Bride, we are
al lives. And this kind of deep care has
the next Billy Graham of our generation.
been the source of his greatest impact.
AS WE RISE UP Imagine one Billy Graham for every person he positively impacted. Wow, right? Think again—it already exists and
“COLLECTIVELY, RISING UP AND UNITING AS THE BRIDE, WE ARE THE NEXT BILLY GRAHAM OF OUR GENERATION.”
that’s us today, if we’re up to the call. As we rise up, it’s imperative we remember it’s
not
about
making
his
name
great. He’s to be honored and surely remembered, but it’s not really about him. It’s not about you, it’s not about me; it’s about coming together and lifting up the powerful name of Jesus. But since this is what he lived for, it makes it easy to keep the proper perspective on his life and legacy. The world needed Billy Graham’s voice when he bravely chose to use it. Remember though, he chose to; he didn’t
his life, we’ll quickly learn that what he
have to. In the same breath, we have
left us is a tangible example to follow as
the opportunity to do the same. We all
we move on in the days to come.
have something to say, we all were created uniquely and have something fresh
LIFE AND LEGACY
WHAT IT HAS TO DO WITH US
It would be a bit absurd to list every
Recognizing
was
er to Jesus and what really moves His
moment
a
known for sharing radical love and
heart, the more we’ll have something
person’s heart or every day and time
shaking up the statusquo by risking
to give. This is what it all comes down
of his preachings and teachings. It’s
is
and
to. Billy Graham paved the way pret-
just not necessary. The treasures that
accomplishments (and whatever else
ty smoothly for us to jump in next. His
will enrich our lives today are hidden
makes us think of him), there’s more to
life is a prime example and beyond our
in plain sight. Scripture tells us that
the bigger picture. Just as his legacy goes
words, our greatest tribute is just to fol-
“salvation is never a reward for good
on even after his time here on earth, we
low it. M
works or human striving” and “nothing
have a part to play that surpasses our
we did could ever earn this salvation,
ability to fully comprehend it. The big
for it was the gracious gift from God
picture has many layers, many pieces
that brought us to Christ” (Ephesians
and aspects that bring it all together.
2:8-9 Passion Translation). Although his
This is why his contribution to the
ministry deserves much admiration, his
Kingdom of God needs us to step up to
life and how he actually lived it, is his
the plate and carry his legacy in our day
real legacy.
and age—now that he’s gone, it’s going
Billy
Graham
impacted
Billy Graham wasn’t afraid to call it
the
how
start.
Billy
Beyond
to contribute. And the more we get clos-
Graham
his
life
to take more than a single person to
39
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
+ KING MAKER
BY JEFF WITTMER
I
n the last thirty years or so, counseling and
coaching people as a Pastor and Life Coach, I’ve observed basically two types of people: those vitally engaged in life and those merely slogging through the motions each day. The difference between those vitally engaged in life, awake to their dreams, and those merely going through the motions of living, is having a vision fueled by passion. Having this kind of passion promotes a special kind of vision—a seeing with “the eyes of the heart” that makes the future seem tangible and well within grasp. With it, you can feel, hear, taste and see all that you desire. As a product of being vitally engaged, you get to live your life with a vibrant hope that can’t ever be put out. Another characteristic that sets achievers apart is the principle of pursuit. The people who pursue aren’t willing to settle for status quo living; they refuse to disappear into the abyss of the ordinary. Though I don’t believe anyone’s born average, I do believe many tend to choose a life of mediocrity. With the patterns I’ve noticed over the years, I think it’s safe to assume that many people often feel a little sadness in the morning upon waking. Could that be the soul longing for its hero to wake up and pursue dreams wide awake? Living an above-average life demands a choice that begins with you waking up. Then it requires defying the odds. You may not have control of whether you’re blessed with above-average looks, talents or resources, but you do have control of whether you live your life defined and determined by the status quo. Though remaining average is a safe choice, it’s also the most dangerous one you can make. Average living may protect you from the risk of failure, but it also separates
THE POWER OF PURSUIT
you from a future of greatness. The gravitational pull of this kind of living is strong, but it’s possible to resist it and instead soar into the high places of your true calling. As you long for a glorious future, it’s important to be careful that it doesn’t just become an extension of your past. There’s a
photo by Hannah Busing
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
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2018
natural domino effect from the moments
stood the power of his pursuit. He didn’t
quite unexpected. Elisha became angry
behind you to the moments in front of
receive a “double portion” of God’s Spir-
with him for not striking at least five
you. However, the moments that actu-
it just by watching his mentor walk
or six times so that he could defeat and
ally define you, that create for you the
away from him. Given the option, he
completely destroy his enemies like he
future you’ve always longed for, are the
decided to pursue, even to the end of Eli-
was already promised. It’s important to
moments that won’t easily integrate into
jah’s life, and he followed through with
note the significance in Elisha’s disap-
your past. Disruptive in nature, these
his actions.
pointment in what he’d just witnessed.
are the moments when you must choose
If you want to seize the opportunity
Just as Elijah welcomed Elisha into
between simply extending your past or
in your own life as Elisha did in his, it’s
above-average living, Jehoash had the
really creating an abundant future.
vital to set your own past on fire before
same opportunity to pursue greatness.
The Prophet Elisha of the Hebrew
you pursue your future. As long as you
For some reason, he stopped short and
Scriptures embodies the principle of
have a contingency plan to go backward,
missed out on what he was promised.
pursuit; his decision to pursue a better
backward is where you’ll find yourself
Jehoash quit right before he reached his
future is a prime example of deciding to
going in the end. Like Elisha, you can’t
full potential; how devastating. Though
live set-apart. Before he began his pro-
expect someone to decide for you. You
the Bible doesn’t tell us why he quit, it’s
phetic career, there were normal days
have to stop waiting for someone to call
still a good example of what not to do
where he plowed away at the fields with
you off the bench and place you in the
in your own life. Whether he was tired
his oxen. Being faithful to the life he’d
game. You need to get up, by your own
or felt ridiculous, whether he thought it
been given, perhaps only in his deepest
choice, and refuse to remain on the side-
was beneath him or he sensed it was an
thoughts and secret desires did he imag-
lines any longer. Your future is waiting
act of futility, through Elisha’s encour-
ine his life would ever change. Picture
for you at the front of the battle.
agement, he had the opportunity to seize
him one afternoon, with the taste of dust
Perhaps the reason so few have
victory as well as the promise to fuel his
in his mouth, dripping with sweat and
received a “double portion” of God’s
actions. Because he quit, he lost his vic-
feeling the exhaustion that comes from
Spirit is because of an unaware, oblivi-
tory, all because he didn’t want it badly
manual labor. In this average moment,
ous, auto-piloted way of living. It’s easy
enough. His vision wasn’t quite fueled
everything changed for him by a single
to remain where you are, plowing away
by passion to pursue.
choice to pursue.
in your own field of work or wherev-
It’s evident that Elisha embraced
Elijah, the older Prophet who repre-
er you find yourself today. It’s easy to
the power of pursuit and that Jehoash
sents his future, unexpectedly came to
desire an extravagant future, but it
didn’t. With your future readily in front
him and threw his cloak around him as
takes the powerful choice to pursue it
of you, you have the same opportuni-
a symbol that he’d chosen him (or more
and actually follow through.
ty to move forward or to quit. You can
accurately that God had chosen him)
Later on towards the end of Elisha’s
mirror Jehoash’s actions and give up too
to be his next prophet. Elisha’s choice
life, there’s another lesson in follow-
soon. You can stop short without strik-
to accept what was presented to him
through that you don’t want to miss.
ing the arrows of destiny and give up
became the defining moment in his life.
He coached Jehoash, the King of Israel,
your right to pursue. On the other hand,
As he kissed his father and mother good-
during the time of its division and war
you have the choice to become passion-
bye, he literally set his past on fire. He
against Judah, by giving him an unusu-
ate like Elisha. Leaving the status quo
took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered
al series of instructions. He told him to
behind and setting your past on fire, you
them. He cut the wooden plowing equip-
get a bow and some arrows, then to take
can tackle every good and perfect thing
ment to pieces and used them to cook
the bow in his hands and open the east
God’s been preparing for you. The pow-
the meat. Then, he served the bar-b-cue
window and shoot. He declared, “The
erful choice is yours. M
to his friends and they feasted and cele-
Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of vic-
brated together.
tory over Aram” and he spoke out that
Once his past possessions settled as
Jehoash would completely destroy his
dust and ashes, he set out to follow Eli-
enemies. Elisha gave Jehoash the pro-
jah to become his servant. It wasn’t a
phetic word of his victory, his opportu-
matter of turning from wrong to right
nity to have an extravagant future.
or from evil to good, but rather a turn
After giving him the word he need-
from the life he had to the above- aver-
ed to follow through, Elisha continued
age life he was offered. Since he fully
to instruct him by telling him to take his
chose what was in front of him, his past
arrows and strike the ground. Jehoash,
was no longer in reach other than in
for some reason, only struck the ground
his memory. From there, he only had
three times and then stopped. At this
one direction to go, forward. He under-
point, the Scriptures tell us something
41
Jeff’s coaching training includes courses in people development with over five years of classroom participation, coach training in accredited course endorsed by the International Coaching Federation and over 25 years of pastoral counseling & personal coaching. www.burningbushlifecoaching.com
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
+ WARRIOR CRY
REDPILLING THE CHURCH + By Bralynn Newby
photo by Jose Moreno
I t’s the k ind of thing you’d find in thri l ler novels and ac-
T wo months ago, I was like Neo. Recognizing something
tion movies. Spy games, intrigue, “disappearances,” and
was off, I complained and shadowboxed with the rest of
sleight of hand. It’s a smoke and mirrors world that hit
A merica. By a seemingly coincidental, but actual ly orches-
me square between the eyes. Since I’ve been fol lowing the
trated, series of events, I chose the red pi l l. With a new
intel drops—the news behind the “news” most people in-
sense of urgency, I’m here to invite and encourage as many
gest in the mainstream media, I’ve been awakened to more
K ingdom warriors brave enough to stand with me to “red-
and more corruption in high places. Shock ing. Though it
pi l l” and wake up as God’s army, as His mighty Church.
feels wrong, we have to remember that this is exactly what
W hat made my hair stand up and my heart freeze was
we’ve prayed for mi l lennia.
putting two and two together after a unique spiritual ex-
Jesus is coming back, Heaven is coming to earth and hel l
perience. (I’m not woo-woo, or into overly spiritualizing
is ticked off. We didn’t real ly think it’d be easy, did we? A
things, so this is weird for me, too.) During a session of fo-
meek, “kumbaya-fest” k ind of revival in churches across
cused meditation, in my spirit I went up into Heaven and
the globe? Oh hel l, no. Jesus’ robe wasn’t just ceremoni-
took a look around. I got invited into the Archangel Mi-
al ly dipped in blood. He paved the way for us to bravely
chael’s castle and went into his war room. There, I saw a
jump into the raw, bloody fight with Him. We’re cal led to
huge table with a map of the globe revealing enemy and
face the unbelievably ugly and heart-wrenching wars with
angelic positions. With technolog y we don’t yet have in the
Him and seriously say to hel l, “Not on our watch!”
natural, he could see enemy activity and what was going
In 1999’s movie phenomena The Matri x, the main char-
on with angelic forces. There were individualized sta-
acter Neo thought something wasn’t quite right with the
tions with computer screens around his war table. Here
world and it bothered him enough to find out why. No one
we could monitor the enemy’s schemes and actions in our
else around him could see it, yet somehow he was aware.
lives and spheres of inf luence. Michael and his angel army
R isk ing a fal l into oblivion, he courageously sought out
have the resources to drop intel to us. By “redpi l lng,” I’ve
Morpheus, the character perceived to be the most danger-
learned that God wants us to k now what the enemy’s up
ous man alive, to find answers. During their meeting, Mor-
to in the spirit realm so that we’l l k now how to ask God
pheus presented him with a choice in the most iconic scene
to deploy His angels and do warfare His way. The way He
of the fi lm. He held out two pi l ls, the red and the blue. Neo
drops intel to you may be different, but it’s no less real. He
could choose the red pi l l which represented truth or the
speaks to us in many ways; we just have to be open to re-
blue pi l l which represented the desire to remain asleep
ceiving it.
and continue ex isting the way he’d been conditioned to.
In the natural, we also have to be ready to receive intel.
Only pausing for a moment, he chose to k now the truth. He
Often disturbing intel. Intel that’l l rock our world and
chose the red pi l l.
question ever y thing we thought we k new. I’ve found out
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
42
2018
To stay alert, here’s what we have to do:
some things I real ly wish weren’t true, and would’ve been perfectly happy not k nowing. But now that I k now,
+ RESEARCH FOR YOURSELF
I am compel led to redpi l l others and fight back. We can fight effectively on both fronts only when we k now the
Col lecting our own intel by forming our own opinions
truth about how the enemy operates and what his next
around what God wants us to see is important. We can’t
move wi l l be.
trust ever y thing we see in the media or on the news, we’ve
I don’t believe you’re reading this by accident. God
got to trust Jesus, our Commander and become more fami l-
has a plan, and you’re part of it. Just stay focused on
iar with His voice over any thing else in our lives. As we rise
him and your mission—keep your eyes and your mind
up in learning His ways, we’l l be less susceptible to letting
open. Satan k nows his time is short. He’l l stop at noth-
the enemy squelch our voices, censor our content or disrupt
ing to cause chaos, destruction, destitution, demoraliza-
our abi lity and privi lege to unite.
tion and death. Our Christian values tel l us to be loving,
+ PRAY FOR ALL THOSE IN THE ENEMY’S SIGHTS
k ind, patient and grace-giving. A nd we ver y wel l should be. We’ve just been played, lied to, marginalized, per-
Our government leaders are obvious targets, as is anyone
secuted, and kept quiet, tame and compliant for far too
standing up against per version of fami ly values, tak ing
long. W hat’s real ly going on is an affront to our sensibi l-
away our individual rights or moving toward a “one world”
ities, completely off our rada— deplorable atrocities we
economy. There are true K ingdom people in al l seven moun-
can barely comprehend.
tains of culture who need spiritual and physical protection and guidance. It’s our honor to get to pray boldly for them
Christian values are an ex istential threat to the enemy
and take action.
and the power structure of the people he’s control ling. He controls anyone who keeps divisive narratives alive. He controls anyone who champions anti-Biblical ideas.
+ DO YOU, AND DO YOU WELL
He controls anyone who’s fighting against purging evi l
Our greatest impact is in the area of our strongest anoint-
and corruption. So as the Church, we need to think—we
ing and in our unique gifting and cal ling. We’ve got to k now
need to wake up to his vices. If it’s controversial, Satan’s
our lane, k now our identity, k now our God-crafted design,
al l over it. Getting us to squabble with each other is his
assignment and sphere of inf luence. (Go through the Do-
second favorite strateg y. His first is depositing lies in our
k imos Project as many times as it takes.) Ever y area of our
own minds. His plans for us are destruction, but God’s
culture is under attack and needs our K ingdom inf luence:
plans for us are good, so good.
Government, Business, Media, Education, Arts & Entertain-
Corruption is rampant in ever y area, and it’s not some-
ment, Fami ly and Religion. W hen we k now who we are, how
thing that doesn’t affect you. It’s not someone else’s prob-
we’re designed and how to operate in the spirit realm, we’re
lem. Satan keeps us preoccupied with our own personal
able to fight wel l on both fronts. We can’t let our message or
drama, with our busy-ness, putting out the fires in our
our spirit be crushed for good.
own lives and fighting each other on nuisance issues. He does a good job at keeping us distracted and off our per-
+ SUPPORT THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING EVIL
sonal mission. I’m here to sound the alarm and help keep
even if we don’t like them or agree with ever y thing they
us on track. Stay the course. Stay on mission.
say. If they’re exposing corruption (even imperfectly, in our
War isn’t coming. War is here, and it’s going to get
view) and if they’re supporting true Christian values, we
worse, much, much worse. But we win. Not without casu-
can’t bare to fight against them. There’s no time to and if we
alties, but we win. We need to stick together, keep fight-
do, the enemy’s actual ly using us in his favor. Our support
ing and keep our joy. God’s doing a new thing. It doesn’t
and prayers are our greatest weapons of warfare, and we
look like any thing we’ve ever seen or experienced be-
should real ly start using them.
fore, so we may not notice it. We may shy away from it
Together we can do real damage to the k ingdom of dark-
at first, or even rai l against it. Just because it shocks us
ness, in the spiritual and in the natural. Satan is terrified of
or throws us on ti lt, it doesn’t mean it’s not God’s hand.
our unity, and terrified of the magnificent power we wield
W here the enemy’s horrific acts of per version and vio-
when we k now how to use it. M
lence rock our sensibi lity, God can also rock our socks off with beauty, unimaginable peace, hope and overf low-
BRALYNN NEWBY IS A SPEAKER, AUTHOR, AND CONTENT
ing joy. We need to steel ourselves for battle and check in
STRATEGIST. SHE IS ALSO A KINGDOM WARRIOR CALLED
with Jesus often.
TO RELEASE AND ACTIVATE VOICES HELD CAPTIVE BY FEAR, DOUBT AND CONFUSION. BRALYNN CAN BE REACHED AT WWW.BRALYNNNEWBY.COM/
43
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RISKTAKER TAKER + +RISK
DOKIMOS EXPLOSION BY JENENE STAFFORD
FIND YOUR TRUE NORTH ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
44
2018
who He’s calling you to be. But, it’s worth every sacrifice to do the homework, show up for the classes and participate with full commitment. Basically, you’ll get out of it what you put
D
into it. Students should ask themselves authentically, “Am I ready?” Jesus is looking for true followers, people who are submitted to do the Father’s will. Many believers would say they’re Christ followers, but is their integrity lining up? Each per-
ok imos Project is going to explode this year. The
son is responsible to say “Search me, God.” This is what we’re
young leaders are coming in and when al l is said and done
doing in Dokimos and why it has the ability to be one of the
they’l l have their marching orders–straight from God him-
greatest decisions you’ll ever make. We’re practicing a great-
self.
er level of integrity as believers and subsequently experienc-
Larry and Lori Hill, the founders of the Dokimos Project,
ing greater freedom.
shared a vision of seven thousand people joining the “Spiritual Gym” a couple of years ago. But, some of us early par-
A LIFE SURRENDERED
ticipants saw a much larger reach after experiencing for our-
Most people flounder around in life looking for that perfect
selves how profoundly life-changing this 12-week training
career, purpose or venture that will ensure their fulfillment.
was. The following explains why.
The Dokimos Project certainly subscribes to a fulfilling life, the result of the training experience goes much deeper. We
THE SPIRITUAL GYM
have heard time and time again from people, “It is a life-alter-
They cal l it a g ym because each week participants come and
ing experience” and “I have confidence in my gifts now, that I
work out their spiritual muscles together in a safe-to-prac-
never had before.” Unlike a motivational course that inspires
tice environment.
for a short time, Dokimos helps us peel back the layers of our
You might be asking, “What exactly do we practice?” Hear-
desires and fears, to find our true north.
ing from God, seeing His vision, prophesying, healing and
We pray for a clean slate and we take an internal inventory of
other biblical practices. And, for those who think some of
our heart, mind and behaviors to uncover the life Christ died
these gifts are for the rare few or don’t exist at all, we would
to give us. We discover there are deeper waters to swim in to
challenge you to join a gym and experience Christ moving for
live in the flow of true hope.
yourself. You, like many others, will find your unique purpose in a community that, over time, will become like family.
A LIFE DEPLOYED & ON FIRE
During these twelve weeks together, there is a focus on an-
At the end of the twelve weeks, most people experience
swering many of life’s most important questions. Who am I
breakthrough in the areas of their spiritual giftings, free-
uniquely? How can I experience God’s voice and sense His
dom from their past, and a healed view of God, themselves
presence? Where can I put my God-given talents to use? What
and others.
is God’s divine plan for my life specifically and uniquely? How
Adults of al l ages, genders, nationalities and denomina-
do I get freedom from the hurts in my life? We leave no signif-
tions subscribe to the biblical teachings of Dok imos and
icant stone left unturned.
leave with a greater understanding of God’s K ingdom. A true awakening happens and a persona statement is created
A LIFE OF FREEDOM
that ser ves as a personal reminder of how God has unique-
Anything that has held you back from living in full freedom
ly worked in a student’s life. These commissiong statements
is uncovered. Open doorways that have held people in captiv-
are read during a commissioning ceremony that leaves peo-
ity are closed. New declarations are made and people receive
ple with an experience they wi l l never forget.
freedom from past choices, sins and experiences.
During this journey of uncovering who we are to God and
We freely submit ourselves to a life of love, healing and for-
how He wants to use us uniquely, a new-found passion for
giveness, and we do it with a clean slate. Experiencing healing
God and His K ingdom is ignited. By the time the course is
is essential to living the life God desires for us, therefore this
over, believers can see that they have the abi lity to infuse
is one crucial piece to understanding the Dokimos Project.
the culture and the marketplace with the love of God.
A LIFE OF INTEGRITY
their purpose in life, but we see Dok imos as a glorious way
There are many paths that a person can attempt to find The word Dokimos means integrity that passes rigorous
to discovering your true north. You can see the light on the
inspection. Our goal is to see people free to be uniquely who
students faces as they simply start believing they are as God
God has designed them to be. To commit to this journey is no
says they are—a masterpiece made by the Father’s hands. M
small feat if you want to go where God is calling you, and be
45
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+ RISK TAKER
ing for people whose hearts are pure before Him to display His
FAV’S
power. The Holy Spirit is calling us to dig deeper in our belief, to
#shareradicallove
and
to
#expect miracles. It’s time to stop letting fear keep us from being who God created and mandated us to be. We’re the Bride, my beautiful friends, and we have authori-
TIME TO LET GOD OUT OF THE BOX
ty. It’s time to use it. God’s been ready; He’s just waiting on us to be ready. He’s laying the groundwork
for
us,
opening
doors and wooing us to prepare ourselves to hit the marketplace in power, authority, miracles and love. It’s time to get authentic and let God out of every box we’ve created because He’s looking for people who are all about His will and His way. These are the ones that will experience an entirely new level of glory in the presence of God. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss out on this new wave of His glory. So if we want to taste and see “the more” that He has for us, His power and
Photo by Fabien Bazanegue
authority has to be embedded in us. We’re moving into an entire-
+ BY JENENE STAFFORD
ly new era of Christianity, one
HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT BE QUENCHED IN THIS MIRACLE-WORKING GENERATION AND THE CAPTIVES WILL BE SET FREE
G
that truly has no accurate comparison to anything we’ve ever been used to. If it did, it would look a lot like Jesus and the dis-
od is preparing the
or whatever our imagination
ciples walking the earth. Ref-
way for a massive
can conjure up. Well, it’s time
erencing the Bible, we see how
infusion of light in
we step away from this kind of
Jesus lived and walked and talk-
the marketplace and
living. We need an upgrade, a
ed—how He used the Spiritu-
we have to let Him do it His
breakthrough, because we (the
al gift of miracles. From what
way.
Church)
dumbed
I can see, He did this for three
we’ve
reasons: (1) because He was
down,
WHAT’S THE BOX?
The box is seeing God our way,
have and
in
been turn,
moved by compassion to meet
dumbed down our Creator. In this generation, God is
the needs, (2) because He loved
rather than seeing God His way.
quickly
box
deeply, and (3) because He was
If we’re honest, many of us have
and is letting us know it’s time
authentically operating in who
wanted Him to show up the way
to stop quenching the works of
He was (the Savior, the Life-giv-
we want Him to. We’ve been
the Spirit. A revolutionary move
er, the Messiah, the King, the
wanting
of God is coming and He’s look-
Christ, the Son of Man and the
what’s
comfortable,
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
dismantling
our
46
2018
second Adam). Jesus lived as the I Am.
that heals the sick, casts out demons and
Kingdom. As we boldly step out, the
My question for you is this—shouldn’t
sets the captives free. Jesus left us with
blind will see, cancers and tumors
we do the same and live as who we real-
the Holy Spirit for this reason. He want-
will visibly shrink and disappear,
ly are?
ed us to accomplish the Great Commis-
people in total bondage to addiction
sion with greater works than His.
will be miraculously set free. And
WE ARE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
God has chased us down, pursued us
when people see the power of God
Jesus wasn’t only a preacher, a prophet
and woo’d us to this point where we’re
(different than years past), they will
and a teacher. He proved who He was by
all in for Christ. Now, we have to pas-
long for more of the Truth of His love
operating in the power of the Holy Spirit
sionately chase down humanity by sim-
for them.
and in obedience to the Father’s will.
ply showing them the love and power
God is bringing ancient things
This is why people experienced miracles
of Jesus. It’s all about walking with the
back that will open our spiritual eyes
and demons were cast out and the dead
shoes of peace, not agitating people with
in new ways we can’t even imagine.
were raised to life. That’s the real reason
pressure or judgement.
The Spirit of wisdom will rise dra-
He came here in the first place—to set
We need to talk to people in ways
matically as a positioning strategy in
the captives free. And it’s why we’re
that they can really hear us. The only
the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit will be
commissioned as sons and daughters in
way this is possible is to get rid of any
a guiding force to move in the mar-
the Kingdom, seated in heavenly places
boxes that have limited the ways that
ketplace with honor and authority. A
with Christ, to do the same in the power
God wants to move. With people in the
hunger is growing for His glory to be
of our inheritance.
world that are watching how we live out
seen and He’s ready to consume the
There are people that are genuinely
our faith, it’s all about actions speak-
darkness with His fire.
looking for something that can be recog-
ing louder than words. We have to keep
The new thing of this generation
nized as truth. They have questions, and
it real, and nothing is more real than
is birthed in total intimacy, humility
more importantly, they have a desire
God’s power.
and obedience. Christ will use us for
to understand and know in their heart
miracles only when we’ve made our-
that what we as believers are saying is
THE NEW THING: A LITTLE PROPHECY
selves ready for them. We will stop
authentic. Are we being genuine? Are
This generation is catching on quickly
quenching the Spirit. In intimacy, the
we the real deal and not just a counter-
and we will let God out of the box,
Truth of Jesus will rule our hearts
feit? This is why we have to be ready at
much sooner than most people think.
and birth our full authority. From
all times to share why we’re a believer,
The Bride that is ready will radically
this place, living outside of the box,
even without words. The way we live
share the Gospel by taking more risks
we will give the enemy a very bad
should showcase how God is the One
in the power and authority of the
day, just like Jesus did. M
“GOD HAS CHASED US DOWN, PURSUED US AND WOO’D US TO THIS POINT WHERE WE’RE ALL IN FOR CHRIST.”
47
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life
THE RESURRECTED
THIS ISN’T ONLY THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD ABOUT GOOD VS. EVIL, IT’S THE BACKDROP FOR ALL OF HUMAN EXISTENCE, IF YOU LOOK THROUGH A SPIRITUAL LENS.
+ BY JENENE STAFFORD
he cross was the beginning
even not-yet believers can quote), “For
phetically established Jesus as King of
of Jesus opening doorways.
God so loved the world that He gave His
the Jews. What appeared to be a mock-
To understand the depth of
one and only Son, that whoever believes
ing actually spoke life over the what was
the power of the Resurrection of Christ
in Him shall not perish but have eternal
already true. Jesus came to set things
and the resurrected life His crucifixion
life” (John 3:16). You can see the corre-
straight and what they did to Him was
offers us, we need to track back to the
lation.
all part of the plan.
T
very beginning. In the Garden, Adam
This isn’t only the greatest story ever
As believers, this is our reason to cel-
and Eve were instructed not to eat of the
told about good vs. evil, it’s the back-
ebrate what Jesus did for us. He rees-
tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
drop for all of human existence, if you
tablished us to be seated in high plac-
God told them, in the day they chose to
look through a spiritual lens. Jesus so
es with Him, apart from death. He got
eat of it, they’d surely die. We all know
vividly represents eternal life while the
rid of legal demands and gave us back
they didn’t physically die that day, but
devil clearly represents eternal death.
our legal rights to life. We’re co-seat-
they did open up a doorway of death
ed as one with Him at the Father’s right
JESUS DISARMED THE RULERS AND AUTHORITIES
hand, “so that in the coming ages He
God’s perfect plan and opened anoth-
The kingdom of darkness was put to
His grace in kindness toward us” (Ephe-
er doorway that gave legal rights to
open shame through Jesus’ resurrec-
sians 2:7).
the devil and the kingdom of darkness
tion. He cancelled out legal demands by
It’s evident that Jesus gave Satan and
on the earth. Before that, Adam actual-
nailing them to the cross. In doing this,
his demons an extra bad day from the
ly had all the rights to everything. The
He made a public spectacle of the rulers
Resurrection forward. He expects us,
cross is all about making that wrong a
and authorities who had no idea their
as His sons and daughters—those with
right. Jesus closed one doorway through
contract was about to be terminated.
the King’s inheritance, to follow Him
that was always meant to stay closed. Adam and Eve basically messed with
His death and opened another when He
At the cross, the soldiers hung a sign
conquered it on the third day. The Bible
that said “This is Jesus King of the Jews.”
says (in the most well-known verse that
Without knowing it, the soldiers pro-
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
48
might show the immeasurable riches of
because He establishes the way.
2018
JESUS BREATHES OUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
He grants us the same power as well. If
just barely beginning to see in our cur-
Sunday evening, after Jesus’ Resurrec-
this doesn’t change our lives and move
rent generation.
tion, He gifted His disciples the Holy
us to walk in His power and authority in
Everything Jesus did was for the sake
Spirit (except for Thomas because he
our world today, I don’t know what will.
of love and when we learn to truly live
wasn’t present). He simply breathed on
This is our inheritance. This is where
this out in His footsteps, real and abun-
them, and all they had to do was receive
our lives truly begin. We have full access
dant life will prevail. If we rise up as
the power. This sealed the promise that
to the Holy Spirit and it’s Him working
we’re still called to over 2,000 years
was birthed through the cross and Res-
in us that helps us discern what’s truth
later, unity will be our greatest strength
urrection. This was the final piece that
and what God’s will is in everything.
against the kingdom of darkness; love
completed the work He began through His death. After Jesus breathed out the Holy
will be the gift that will shift the atmo-
LOVE IS THE MOTIVE; KINGDOM AUTHORITY IS THE TOOL
sphere; healing the sick and changing our culture will become the new norm.
Spirit over them, He taught them why it
We can’t forget God’s why—for God so
As the Bride, we’re so beautifully
was significant for them to receive what
loved the world. It all stems from rad-
invited to see with the Spirit and act on
He was gifting in that sacred moment.
ical love and it’s part of the power we
the power and authority placed in our
Full authority over all the kingdom of
hold. The Resurrection set in motion
hands (only because of the cross and
darkness was handed back. The power
the “Great Commission” and because of
Resurrection) for the Kingdom of God.
wasn’t to end there; it was the birth-
what Jesus did for us, it’s our mandate
The way is already established for us. If
place of the power we have rights to
to share His gift to the world. As the ulti-
we need a reminder of what a life res-
today. He told them, “If you forgive any-
mate teacher He is, He’s big on modeling
urrected looks like, we just need to look
one’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do
how things are to be done. He’s our Open
at Jesus. M
not forgive them, they are not forgiven”
Door, the Living Word, and He’s the per-
(John 20:23).
fect example to follow. In the last weeks
Reading between the lines, Jesus
on earth with His disciples, I believe He
granted them the same power He had,
modeled Kingdom in ways that we’re
49
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ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
50
2018 PHOTO BY NICOLE SMIT nicolesmitphotos.com
51
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
BY GARY HENSON
Doing Business God’s Way
everal years ago, my wife
this to say I’ve learned some valuable
agogue or did He find and travel to peo-
and I were having lunch
lessons and I’ve come a long way since
ple in the Marketplace? Paul and some
and (much to her surprise)
the day God laid that vision on my heart.
others did the same thing in Corinth and
in the middle of our con-
Being on the other side and living out
Ephesus—they moved away from the
versation, I proclaimed to her, “Our
that vision He gave me, I’d like to share
Synagogue and went out into the Mar-
business is now going to be our minis-
some of the valuables I’ve accumulated
ketplace. They met people right where
try.” She quickly reacted and said to me,
over time.
they were just like Matthew 28:19-20
“We’re not Pastors. We haven’t graduat-
I’ve
S
of
tells us to “Go therefore and make dis-
ed from seminary. How can we do that?”
patience. I’ve learned to wait, pray to
ciples of all the nations.” This clearly
I simply responded by explaining that
God, and ask for His direction and wis-
implies that the nations aren’t to come
God laid it on my heart for us to do busi-
dom on His timing. This allows me to get
to us, we’re to go to them.
ness His way. Little did I know the jour-
out of the way and let Him do the heavy
Don’t allow Satan to shrink what
ney I signed up for that day. That was
lifting. You’ve probably heard it said a
you’re doing, stay focused and He who
over ten years ago. When I look at our
million times, “Let go, let God.” I agree,
began a good work in you will finish it.
business now and the ministries that
but that’s not natural for me to do. That’s
Sometimes, we forget how big our God is
we’re involved with today, everything’s
a muscle I’ve been working on strength-
and we get in the way of Him doing what
completely different and better than I
ening for a long time. To the glory of
He does best—carry us through each
could’ve ever thought possible.
God, He’s teaching me how to fit into His
season with grace. As we listen to God,
timing—not the other way around.
get into action and follow His lead, we
Doing business God’s way is no small feat. It requires lots of patience; something
that
I
admittedly
don’t
found
a
new
definition
In certain seasons, God changes the
come to find that He actually loves tak-
have
pace. I’ve learned our real need is to
enough of. I have the bad habit of doing
spend lots of time on our knees. It’s so
I hope that by sharing a part of my
something and then later on asking God
important to make sure that we’re lis-
story, you can learn from my person-
if that’s what He truly wanted me to do.
tening carefully to what He’s asking us
al mistakes and successes and experi-
When His answer comes back as a “No”
to do; this is where we get clarity on our
ence the same growth in your own life.
or “That was your idea, not Mine,” my
specific role in the grand scheme of His
It’s easy to get caught up in the details of
instincts led me to pray and ask for His
great plans. Understanding the season
work, but when we really shift our per-
help to clean up the mess that I cre-
we’re in is the key that helps us to move
spective to doing business God’s way, we
ated. I often wonder if He has a good
forward.
give Him the proper room to blow things
laugh watching me make one mess after
God has a heart for business in the
another, and then come to Him after and
Marketplace. This is where I’m learn-
say, “Papa, can You help me clean this up
ing the most lately. Think about it, did
and point me in the right direction?” All
Jesus hold all of His meetings in the Syn-
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
52
ing care of the rest.
up far greater than our minds could fathom. M
2018
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dicalLove Miracles 61
MEGAMORPHOSISMAGAZINE.COM
WRITE MORE LOVE LETTERS. XOXO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONTINUED
TO MY FAMILY: I love you to the moon and back as we say. Thank you for your passion and love for our incredible family. I am proud of all that you are and all that you will become. My daughters, you are amazing women, sometimes floundering, lost and confused, but always passionate about life, love, family, giving back and me. You inspire me and cause me to fight for the dreams God has placed in my heart as I must practice what I preach. I know it’s been hard for you sometimes to watch me grow into me. TO MY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS: Oh how I love you all so much. I’m inspired by who you are and the contributions you are to the world. I am so truly blessed to have a vast array of unique, talented, successful and brilliant friends all over this world. TO DESTINY WOMEN GLOBAL: Thank you Sonia Hassey for allowing me to play on your playground, build a movement and speak to and teach your women. Thank you for always treating me like an equal leader and allowing me to be as real as real gets. I learned so much on that journey and have life-long friends and collaborators because of it. May God bless Destiny Women Global moving forward. TO LARRY AND LORI HILL: I have fallen in love with the two of you, as has my husband. You are wonderful human beings and great leaders and friends. I’m so grateful for the Dokimos Project and what it has done for me, expanding my seer and apostolic gifts, and my leadership. So blessed and honored to continue to build the movement of equipping the Bride and watching them soar into their callings. It’s so exciting to teach and see the transformation happen for the students. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord to do the groundwork to turn it into a life-altering 12 week course. TO KIRI-MAREE MOORE: Thank you for being my ear all these years. Thank you for being one of the toughest chicks I have ever known and never
ISSUE 3 + OPEN DOORWAYS
complaining about your wild journey. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the Decision Velocity Global team and trusing me to get your brand into the world. Thank you for being awesome as Aroha would say. Thank you for your love and leadership and never giving up on your dream. Thank you for being one of my dearest friends and confidants. You are such a rock and it’s good. We need more leaders like you. TO THE MM TEAM: Nissi girl, thank you for listening to God and meeting with me. Who would have thought you’d be here two months ago? You’re going places! So hold on tight never hold back your passion for Jesus. I’m so grateful for you handling so many details that I absolutely don’t have time to manage. Thank you for being my researcher and editor until the Lord brings the perfect one on board. I appreciate you filling in the many gaps we have as we’re just putting the pieces together on this project and we’re a very small but mighty team. To Aaron Guzman, thank you for coming back into our lives. Thanks for coming in to give me a crash course on InDesign so we could actually make this magazine available to print. I know magazines are new to us all, but our readers will have grace as we work out all the details. You’re a special young man and I appreciate you helping us birth this project. TO LAWRETTE, MY INTERCESSOR: It’s been seven years you’ve dedicated your life to praying for me and the ministry. You are absolutely a faithful servant to our Lord. Like I’ve told you before, if I go home to be with my Jesus, you have to speak at my funeral. Honestly there are no words to express my honor for you. I love you, my dear. TO OUR READERS: Thank you for following the lead of the Holy Spirit and reading this magazine. I know it won’t be like any other because it’s a magazine with fire. I am trusting and believing that God is going to speak directly to you and show up powerful-
62
ly in your life. God has big things, important things, for all of us and He’s moving fast and furious. You’ve got to get engaged with His plan and go after it like there’s no tomorrow. This is a magazine that is meant to kick you into high gear in your giftings and in your leadership. It’s also a magazine that will inspire you to be braver than you’ve ever been. This is a magazine for risk-takers—so go out there into this amazing world and leave your legacy, the legacy God has for you. Leave your plans aside to accomplish God’s plans which are bigger and better than yours. There is eternal value in following God, being who He created you to be—uniquely masterfully made. Go after the presence and experience His glory. Above all, trust the Word of God, live a holy life, love radically and never hold back what God has placed in you— His beautiful amazing Bride. Remember, we are risk-takers changing lives, shaking things up and defying status-quo Christianity.
HE HAS OPENED THE DOORS, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS STEP THROUGH.
+ VOLUNTEER/ WRITE + If you’re interested in volunteering, we are looking for kingdom people who are reliable, honest, passionate and creative. Most importantly, lead by the Spirit. Please reach out if you’re a writer, graphic designer, videographer or love social media. megamorphosismagazine.com/volunteer
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2018
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